Microsoft New Zealand today launched a suite of tools, training and software to help New Zealanders develop the skills needed to lead the country from recession.
Using a special Web site set up to resemble the classic kiwi toolshed, Microsoft expects to be part of a larger initiative within the ICT industry to step up and help Kiwis get competitive in the global economy.
New Zealand's ICT industry has identified an opportunity for collaboration and NZICT Group CEO Brett O'Riley sees a need to deliver an industry-wide solution which will help stimulate the country's economy.
At an event convened this morning to discuss solutions for retraining and upskilling New Zealand's workforce, O'Riley told a panel of industry leaders and economists that technology has a crucial role to play in driving New Zealand's economic recovery.
"It is imperative we collaborate as an industry to develop a community that will contribute toward New Zealand's economic recovery. No other industry is positioned as well to develop the skills and solutions needed in the new 'weightless' digital economy," said O'Riley.
He called for industry members to convene at an ICT summit in May to develop a workable solution for how technology could be used to this end.
In the meantime, Kevin Ackhurst, country manager for Microsoft New Zealand, announced initiatives at the event aimed at supporting some of the government's top priorities, such as job creation, workforce skills and training and broadband utilization.
"Today we have launched a new page on the Microsoft New Zealand Web site – MicrosoftToolShed - which profiles Microsoft's offerings available to help New Zealanders during these tough economic times.
It will act as a tool shed for Kiwis to boost their digital literacy and IT skills, increasing the number of digitally-capable New Zealanders ready to embrace the new digital economy and lead the nation from this recessionary period."
The portal will provide direct benefit to a range of New Zealanders, whether they are students, business startups, a not for profit organisation, or those wishing to retrain or re-enter the workforce. It also facilitates access to these programmes, free of charge or heavily discounted, to eligible New Zealanders.
The page includes programmes such as:
• DreamSpark - free and low cost software for high school and university students
• BizSpark - software for enrolled startup companies less than three years old and turning over less than $1 million in revenue
• Tech Soup - a software donation programme for not-for-profit organisations in which Microsoft participates
• Partners in Learning - a programme promoting technology applications in education
• Microsoft e-learning and training products - tools and courses for trainers and workers to develop new skills and knowledge
• Microsoft Finance - Purchase the software you need, right when you need it
Ackhurst also relaunched the DreamSpark programme, expanded to include high school students, and re-emphasised the availability of software to startup businesses through the BizSpark programme.
"Having a great idea is a good start, but startups like ours also need the right tools and technology to get off the ground. BizSpark has led to the ignition of our business," said Richard Chetwynd, CEO and founder of Litmos, a startup company participating in the programme.
"Kiwis are renown for our ingenuity, and tools like BizSpark and the others announced today will surely help bring other business ideas to fruition to help us battle back from these challenging economic times."
The Minister for Social Development and Employment, Paula Bennett, said a proposed collaboration of the ICT industry to help drive economic growth would be warmly welcomed by the Government.
"This would be an inspired move by the ICT industry and would demonstrate a real commitment to overcoming some of New Zealand's most pressing issues during these tight times. We encourage the whole of the ICT community to become involved and look forward to the tangible outputs it will bring of its own accord, together with inspiring others to do the same."
In addition, she said Microsoft New Zealand's initiatives were a positive step towards helping both save and create jobs - one of the Government's key areas of focus.
"We encourage other businesses to adopt creative solutions like this to help grow this economy and stave off the worst effects of the economic storm. Basic IT familiarisation, as well as advanced skill and competency development is a critical to New Zealand's future, as technology becomes increasingly mainstream and part of every New Zealander's life."
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