Here's a quick weekly update from ITP CEO Paul Matthews.
I'm so excited about the programme for ITx Rutherford, coming up in October, after our community came together over the last few days with some truly incredible talk options. I suspect this will be our best conference yet, and that's really saying something.
We're also currently looking at the future of workplace-based learning through the Digital Skills Forum, and register for the Becoming an Effective CIO course now to save $500.
Our brilliant community
I often feel genuinely honoured to serve our professional community as ITP CEO, and I'm frequently reminded just how brilliant our community is. And this week was no exception.
Yesterday I sent an email out to a large group of our community asking people to consider putting forward speaking ideas for ITx Rutherford coming up in October, as well to consider sponsorship and at very least, save the date.
Since then we've been inundated with really strong speaking suggestions. Honestly, I think this conference is going to be our best yet in terms of programme and that's really saying something - ITx and our earlier conferences are renown for having an incredible line-up of inspiring, interesting and informative speakers.
As is usually the case, we've asked for help from our community to make this the best yet, and our community has delivered. So thank you to everyone who has put forward ideas and everyone else who has put aside the date or contribute to their community in one of the multitude of other ways.
We still need some help with sponsorship, so if you're interested in having a chat, take a look here or drop us a note. We don't make money from our conferences - we do it to bring our community together so as well as getting great exposure and benefit, your contribution will go 100% to bringing the tech professional community together.
Workplace-based learning in tech
The Digital Skills Forum met this week for an update on information and potential initiatives as a result of the Hui earlier this year, plus to discuss steps to take to support greater workplace-based learning.
As many will know, there is currently a significant Review of Vocational Education (RoVE) underway and part of this is looking at what the future of workplace-based learning looks like. The previous model was ITO-driven, however our sector has never been suitable for ITO coverage and the consequence has been a lower than preferred level of formal workplace-based learning (ie learning that contributes to qualifications).
The new post-RoVE landscape is likely to be very different however, and potentially provides a really good opportunity to consider this again from the ground up. This includes internships of course, but also exploring how Apprenticeships, and potentially Apprentice Degrees, might work in the tech sector.
Under the current proposal, responsibility for workplace-based learning would move from ITOs to the new mega-polytech (which I suspect will continue to operate as separate Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics in practice). From my experience, the polytech sector has always supported workplace-based learning, but often struggled to get sufficient industry buy-in to make it viable for our sector.
Anyway, you'll be hearing more of this over the coming months as the results from RoVE become public, and we work with others to construct what the future looks like for skills in our sector. There will also be opportunities to be part of that planning, so look out for consultation and engagement opportunities later this year.
In the meantime, the Forum will be releasing results of an in-depth internship research project later this month.
Creating presentations that connect
Our awesome colleagues at TechCommNZ are running a workshop in August in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch on creating presentations that connect with your audience.
This practical, interactive workshop looks at the science behind 'what just works' in creating memorable presentations and offers advice on how to turn human mental quirks to your advantage.
ITP members can attend at Affiliate rates - simply create an account on their website then email TechCommNZ with your ITP member number and they'll set you up to get the discounted rate.
Check it out for Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
Get $500 off Becoming an Effective CIO
The next intake of our awesome Become an Effective CIO 12-week course is on 7th August and if you get in quickly, you can save $500 off your registration.
This course, delivered live online over a series of evenings over 3 months, is designed to equip aspiring or new CIOs with the skills, knowledge and mindset needed to be effective in the move from operational to strategic IT.
The course focuses on leadership and strategy from the outset, also covering off a number of key skills needed to be an effective CIO such as leading teams, change and transformation, technology investment and budgeting, IT governance, negotiation and critical influence skills, and much more.
Check it out here
by Paul Brislen, Editor
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