ICT graduate numbers up by a third in 2007

By RICHARD PAMATATAU


The increasing number of graduates in information and communication technology is set to bolster the country's ability to lure high-tech investment.

A survey by Investment New Zealand projects that by 2007 there will be more than 5000 ICT graduates, up 32 per cent over 2002, when the figure was 3818.

Paul Gestro, Investment New Zealand's manager for investment in ICT, said the country had to show growth in technical graduates for the environment to appear attractive to potential investors.

While the numbers were never going to match many of the countries New Zealand competed with for investment, strong graduate growth numbers added to other factors, such as a great environment to work in and stable politics. These could be powerful investment arguments.

He said Investment New Zealand had recognised that the country was not going to compete just by offering low-skills call centres and needed to make more of its capabilities in the ICT space. "We cannot compete in that area like India so we are now also looking at how we can create smaller higher-value organisations."

Twenty-four tertiary institutions were surveyed, including the eight universities. They were asked to identify ICT-related qualifications being offered at the three-year undergraduate, four-year undergraduate and post-graduate level, the actual numbers that graduated in 2002 and projections of graduate numbers over the next five years.

"The graduate projections are one element of the total investment business case that we prepare to encourage multinationals to consider a New Zealand arm to their operations.

"New Zealand graduates are a particular drawcard. They are seen as clever and capable, with a unique approach to problem-solving."

Investment New Zealand worked closely with tertiary institutions, regularly taking potential investors to see what was being done in them and their technology parks and business incubator centres.