17 Jul 2013

IT industry crying out for skilled workers

9:47 am on 17 July 2013

Employers in the IT industry are warning growth in the sector will stall if New Zealand can't meet a growing demand for skilled workers.

The Government on Tuesday released its report into the information and communications technology sector which said there is an increasing demand for IT skills throughout the economy.

Orion Health provides software products for healthcare organisations and says there is an opportunity for New Zealand to shift its focus from agricultural exports to software, which is cheaper and easier to move.

Head of product development Gareth Cronin says the biggest obstacle to growth is a shortage of skilled staff. In some cases, competition for workers has led to IT students being recruited in their first year of university.