The Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce says the Government's announcement of the addition of a ICT graduate school to its city is fantastic news, and a further ‘shot in the arm’ for the city’s strong ICT sector.

Raewyn Bleakley, Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, says that the school will address significant high-level skills shortages in the city’s rapidly growing ICT industry by feeding directly into it.

“The smart city just got even smarter,” Bleakley says.

“Wellington has the highest concentration of web-based and digital technology companies per capita in New Zealand, and we have 22% of all jobs in the computer system design sector, so we are perfectly placed to take full advantage of the skills the school will produce.

Bleakley says that Wellington is growing three times faster than any other region, according to recent figures. The number of ICT export businesses is growing at such a rate, that Wellingtonians are three times as likely to work in ICT compared with those in other cities.

“The school will support and accelerate that growth,” she says.

“It’s a real tailor-made opportunity for Wellington, with funding for education, research and collaborative initiatives to attract top students and academics and help them connect with our high-value high-tech firms.

“I’m confident we have forward-thinking education providers and industry partners here to play a big part in the tender process to develop and operate the school.”