Why the Education-to-Employment Pipeline is Failing

This kōrero was the first in our IT Professionals Winter Series — a lineup of conversations tackling some of the biggest issues facing our sector. We began with a critical question: what’s broken in our education system? And perhaps more importantly — what can we do about it?

Joined by Ruth McDavitt, CEO of Summer of Tech, and Rohan Wakefield, Co-Founder of Dev Academy Aotearoa, we explored the growing disconnect between education and employment pathways into digital technology. Ruth and Rohan are both deeply embedded in efforts to support emerging talent. Between them, they’ve helped thousands of students and career changers navigate their way into tech. Their observations are direct, honest, and backed by real-world experience.

At the heart of the conversation was a troubling trend: entry-level roles and internship opportunities have all but vanished. Juniors are being squeezed out of the workforce just as industry leaders sound the alarm about skills shortages. AI is being used as a convenient excuse to avoid hiring, and support for vocational pathways is being quietly dismantled. And yet, demand for digital skills continues to grow — not just in the tech sector, but across every part of the economy.

What emerges in this session is a strong call for systems change. Ruth and Rohan outline what’s needed — real investment in wraparound support, proper recognition of vocational and alternative pathways, and a cultural shift toward mentoring and growing local talent. There’s no shortage of skills in Aotearoa — just a shortage of imagination, opportunity, and long-term thinking.

Watch the full discussion below — and join us in shining a light on what’s working, what’s not, and how we can rebuild a stronger, fairer pipeline into the digital tech sector.