TINWire Tech News Roundup: 15 September 20

Kia ora koutou

The news on Monday that Cabinet is holding steady on the current Alert Level restrictions until next week serves as a sobering reminder that the virus remains an active part of our communities.

But there’s movement on the horizon with the news late last week that the Government is loosening the criteria for overseas workers being allowed through the border. Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said the change will allow businesses to access critical staff whose skills aren’t readily obtainable here. It’s believed that executives, engineers, and IT staff would be among those who may now qualify – news that will be met with relief by many in our TIN community who have been struggling with the challenges of a skilled worker shortage since the borders closed earlier in the year.

Our member-only event last week, Tackling the Talent Challenge, identified the very real issue that the skills shortage has become, but also some of the ways that companies are working around it to find innovative solutions. It’s vital that we look carefully at workforce planning – empowering, mobilising, and connecting a remote workforce – and what more can be done in the education sector to widen the range of training options on offer for upskilling workers.

And just as our TIN companies have adapted and re-aligned their businesses to meet the challenges of COVID-19, so too are we. Our much-celebrated Report launch and awards will be a virtual event this year, held over three days from 18-20 November, complete with the 2020 TIN Report launch, extensive interactive networking opportunities, roundtable discussions, expert sessions with live Q&A, a digital tech showcase, and all the fun and excitement you’ve grown to expect from our events. This year’s event will have more of everything and you don’t have to worry about dress code! 😊 What’s more, you can pre-order your copy of the 2020 TIN Report at a special early bird rate, so sign up today for Tech Pulse 2020!

Ngā mihi
Greg & the TIN Team