(22 April 2015 – New Zealand) ANZ has teamed up with Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) to encourage more women to consider technology careers in the face of a New Zealand-wide industry shortage.
A lack of women entering the IT industry is a key concern for ANZ which employs more than 600 people in its technology team.
To help reverse the trend, New Zealand’s largest bank is now working with WelTec in a partnership that includes a new award for outstanding female technology graduates.
“The gender balance in New Zealand’s IT workforce is bleak with females making up just 25 percent and fewer women studying IT at tertiary level, indicating a worrying downward trend,” says Craig Bunyan, general manager Technology, ANZ New Zealand.
“Diversity in our workforce means we can deliver better solutions for our customers. Right now we’re missing out on a lot of talent who are looking past a career in technology.
“We’re building a relationship with WelTec to encourage more women into technology, through this award and also through our Technology Internship Program.
“With one of the largest Schools of Business and IT in the country and almost 450 people studying IT at degree and post graduate level, WelTec was the ideal partner to work with to start addressing the skills shortage and gender imbalance in the IT industry.”
WelTec chief executive Linda Sissons, said internships are the most real way students can be educated.
“We are delighted to partner with ANZ which, by offering an award and an internship programme, is acting proactively to get more women into IT.”