Information Technology

The information technology (IT) and computing industry includes people working for companies that produce and service IT products, and people who work in IT-related occupations within other industries. IT is a crucial component in the day-to-day operations of most organisations and is expected to play an important role in New Zealand’s economic growth in the future. Digital or multimedia is a growing area and is likely to become more central to the industry’s growth in coming years.

In global terms, New Zealand produces a relatively small amount of IT products. However, the country is positioning itself to become a destination for offshore outsourcing of high-level IT services, including application development, software architecture and system design. This will present significant opportunities for New Zealand firms and should have a positive effect on employment for skilled IT professionals.

Technical skills are still crucial for a career in IT, so a degree in computing, IT or related subject is expected. However, emphasis is increasingly being placed on IT employees having greater interaction with clients and users throughout an organisation. As a result, business awareness, communication and people skills are increasingly important requirements. As IT is a fast-changing sector, the ability to learn and keep skills up-to-date is essential.

The range of occupational pathways in IT continues to expand as technology penetrates more and more aspects of daily life. Potential entry-level occupations for graduates and postgraduates are:

  • Computer Technician
  • Project Manager
  • Help Desk Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Computer Scientist
  • Applications Programmer
  • IT Support Officer
  • Database Administrator
  • Internet or Web Developer
  • Software Engineer.

Outlook

Between 2001-2006 the number of ICT businesses and the number of people employed in the industry grew by 20 per cent. While the sector is affected by the global economic situation, demand for ICT professionals continues to be strong. Currently many IT related jobs are on the government long and short term skills shortage lists. Factors contributing to the current level of opportunities in the industry include:

  • New Zealand ICT sector is under-resourced staff-wise and there are not Computer Science or IT graduates entering the workforce
  • e-government initiatives supporting innovation
  • New Zealand IT companies encouraged to pitch for overseas projects
  • Government initiatives to accelerate growth in the IT industry, particularly through exports
  • Digital strategy.

The IT industry is recruiting around 2500 graduates each year. Although job opportunities in IT are growing, there is a steady supply of new IT graduates from the tertiary education system. An estimated 3000 IT degree were awarded in 2005 (New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee survey reports 2005).

Industry at a glance:

  • 40,000 employed nationally in ICT
  • 80% of ICT jobs based in North Island
  • NZ$18 million earned from ICT goods and services (2007)
  • NZ$1 billion in government operating spending on ICT.

*Except where indicated, information and statistics for this profile drawn from the following sources: www.careers.govt.nz; NZVCC, Graduate Destinations, 2006; Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL); NZ, Department of Labour; and Statistics New Zealand.