Tech talent connects in Texas
The CEO of one of New Zealand’s fastest growing software companies is praising New Zealand’s involvement in the South by Southwest (SXSW) trade show in Austin, Texas and the follow up online TechConnect event, as much-needed initiatives to attract more tech talent to New Zealand.
The SXSW trade show in Austin, Texas next month is expected to attract around 70,000 people over four days.
Immigration New Zealand, NZTE and the New Zealand Technology Industry Association (NZTech) who are spearheading a New
Zealand private and public sector presence at the show, see it as a perfect opportunity to promote New Zealand as a
place to work and invest, particularly in the rapidly-growing technology sector.
Grow Wellington will be joining the New Zealand contingent flying the flag as the high-tech capital with the greatest
number of New Zealand’s fastest growing high-tech businesses located in Wellington.
“Attracting tech talent is critical to the ongoing strength of Wellington’s dynamic and innovative tech sector,” says
Grow Wellington Chief Executive Gerard Quinn.
This is a view shared by NZTech members, including Will Palmer, Chief Executive of Movio, a New Zealand based high tech
company based in New Zealand with offices in the US. They have grown by almost 400% over the last 12 months and CEO Will
Palmer expects continued high growth over the next year. He says “we’ve grown from 7 to 27 in our team in the last year
and I expect we’ll double in size within the next year, but we are struggling to find skilled developers.”
Movio, who crunch big audience data to deliver insights for the film industry and cinemas for more effective marketing,
is desperate for big data developers who are qualified in Java, Scala, Cassandra, Hadoop, Mahout and other development
languages.
As well as developers, Movio is looking to attract people qualified in automated testing, security, infrastructure and
solution architects.
The organizer of the TechConnect event is Jonny Wyles, Managing director of Workhere New Zealand. He says there’s ample
proof of the skills shortage in the tech sector with 32 companies already signed up for the online event to be held at
the end of March, a number he expects to grow beyond 50.
Wyles is joining the mission to SXSW and is enthusiastic about profiling kiwi companies to the thousands who will see
the New Zealand stand at the popular show. He expects to generate a data base of qualified and interested candidates who
would like to learn more about moving to New Zealand and he’s hopeful they’ll then sign up to be involved in the
TechConnect event at the end of March.
NZTech CEO Candace Kinser says, “The shortage of skilled tech talent is a very real threat to the explosive growth in
the New Zealand tech sector. Technology is the fastest growing sector in New Zealand, but we are not keeping up with the
appetite and need for qualified talent through producing it here alone,” she says.
For Movio’s Will Palmer, the shortage of talent is a real issue he’s constantly grappling with. He says Movio has been
advertising for staff in many mediums over the past year and only succeeded in attracting three people. Will Palmer says
the SXSW and the TechConnect Event initiatives to attract people here are what the industry desperately needs.
Ms. Kinser says while the tech sector is the fastest growing sector in New Zealand the skills shortage impacts all
sectors and she’s encouraged by the joint initiative between her association, private firms and the government agencies
Immigration New Zealand and NZTE.
NZTech is organizing attendees to join in for the SXSW conference. If you are interested in going, contact info@nztech.org.nz for more information.
About the Partners
New Zealand Technology Industry Association (NZTech) is the leading industry body committed to helping New Zealand technology businesses to succeed by encouraging talent,
increasing knowledge, creating connections and influencing policy. www.nztech.org.nz @NZTechIA
Immigration New Zealand helps build a stronger economy and create jobs by encouraging innovation, deepening links with international markets
and providing the skills and capital needed for growth. Find out more about living and working in New Zealand www.newzealandnow.govt.nz
NZTE is New Zealand’s international business development agency, helping businesses grow in international markets. We offer
strategic advice, access to networks and influencers, research and market intelligence, and targeted financial support
to help businesses on their international journey, and work to promote New Zealand business overseas. For more
information, visit www.nzte.govt.nz or follow us @NZTEnews.
Grow Wellington is the economic development agency existing to accelerate economic growth in the Wellington region and make it more
internationally competitive.
Workhere New Zealand profiles companies and current job opportunities looking to attract the attention of top talent from around the World.
More than just a job board the platform uses video, photography and stories to give real insight in to the company
culture and mission. Workhere also helps people make the move here to NZ. www.workhere.co.nz www.techconnectevent.co.nz
About South by Southwest
South by Southwest is a set of film, interactive, and music festivals and conferences that take place every spring in
Austin, Texas, United States. It began in 1987, and has continued to grow in size every year.
As Austin has grown and diversified, film companies and high-tech companies have played a major role in the Austin and
the Texas economies.
In 1994, SXSW added a film and interactive component to accommodate these growth industries. SXSW Film and SXSW
Interactive events together attract approximately tens of thousands of registrants to Austin every March.
More than 800 sessions focused on digital innovation and emerging technologies, among other topics, will be presented over five days this year
at the 2014 SXSW Interactive Festival.
SXSW attracts more than 65,000 visitors and over 2,500 exhibitors in the technology, gaming, film and music industries.
About Tech Connect
The New Zealand Tech Connect Event is an online, real-time recruitment initiative focussed on connecting global
technology talent to New Zealand’s leading tech employers.
Streamed live online to a global audience of technology professionals on Monday 31st March 2014(NZT). In New Zealand, a
panel of representatives from New Zealand technology businesses will promote the New Zealand tech story during the
event.
Competition for top technical talent is fierce. The New Zealand Tech Connect event will put your business in front of
thousands of interested and available technology professionals, and effectively promote your employment offering to
them.
New Zealand Tech Connect represents a prime opportunity to connect and engage with Business Analysts, Project Managers,
Software Architects, Developers, Testers, Software Engineers, Implementation Experts & Animators/Designers.
ENDS