Infrastructure report: Data the new currency

Infrastructure in the 21st century is all about information. The ability to produce, store, move, analyse and create from data is fast becoming an integral part of business, regardless of industry.

Establishing the ecosystems and frameworks that underpin data infrastructure is a key step in positioning New Zealand to make the most of the digital economy.

The National-led Government clearly signalled its intentions when Finance Minister Bill English and Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson established the Data Futures Forum. The initiative brought together a panel of industry experts and thought leaders to consider how to unlock opportunities for New Zealand through greater data-sharing.

The forum produced a host of recommendations and guiding principles for the development of New Zealand's data infrastructure.

They see the potential for data to make a material difference in the performance and efficiency of both the public and private sectors.

But the biggest obstacle still to be overcome is the severe lack of talented personnel to drive the new data focused business environment.

Industry has been vocal about New Zealand's inability to produce top quality personnel capable of working with data.

The majority of our domestic data scientists are trained in-house, with tertiary qualifications only being introduced in the past two years.

Sector-wide there are big shortages says Cyrus Facciano, General Manager of Qrious -- Spark's new spin-off company focused on data and analytics.

"Based on the industry research we've done both here and internationally, we estimate that New Zealand will face a shortfall of data scientists by as many as 1200 next year," he says.

Spark is working to bridge the gap, establishing a data science academy through Qrious to improve access to the training businesses are crying out for.

Opened earlier this year, the academy offers a unique opportunity for aspiring data scientists to learn some of the theoretical background required, while getting hands-on, practical experience in forging a pathway into a career in big data.

"The academy is not just the training required to learn the new skills and tools," says Facciano.

Cyrus Facciano.

"That only takes about five weeks. The next 12 weeks are spent working on real cases as part of an internship with a seasoned data scientist.

"Those in the programme will be working on real business problems for real customers and gaining the experience and exposure needed to deliver results."

The academy is open to all and offers a number of pathways to acceptance, including employer sponsorship, personal entry and sponsorship offered by Qrious themselves.

"There is a cost to attending the academy, training materials and the like, but we're very keen to work with government and other parties to work on making this more accessible."

Facciano says the biggest impediment he sees to drawing large numbers of applicants is the 17 weeks it will take to complete the course.

"To that end we are exploring the potential of doing a one-week exposure course where people can come in and have a look, get a feel for what this is all about.

"That makes it much more accessible to a broader range of people.

"We are anticipating a healthy mix of both students and professionals contemplating a career change.

"This isn't just a way of generating talent for us, it's about increasing the talent pool for all of New Zealand."