Latest news with #ClaireDurant

Techday NZ

ShadowTech25 inspires Manawatū girls to explore tech careers

UCOL Manawatū welcomed students from Palmerston North Girls' High School, St Peter's College, and Freyberg High School for a day-long ShadowTech25 event aimed at providing insights into technology careers. The event, a collaboration between UCOL, the Manawatū Business Chamber, TechStep, and ManawaTech, involved 24 Year 11 students experiencing various aspects of Information Communications Technology (ICT). Panel discussions Over the course of the day, students attended two panel discussions featuring six women working in ICT across different sectors. These sessions provided students with personal stories and advice from professionals in the field. The first panel included Heather Todd from Yorb, Claire Durant from Trio Technologies, and Theresa Byrne from Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ, while the second featured Kerrie Hardgrave from UCOL's IT team, Harriet Lockett from FMG, and Clare Thomas from Nodero. Paula Richardson, Academic Portfolio Manager ICT & Business, said: "ShadowTech25 offers girls in Years 9-11 an opportunity to discover the world of tech, spark their curiosity and explore career pathways. This year, we brought local industry leaders together to share their experiences and the range of pathways into ICT to encourage and inspire these young women to consider careers in Information Communications Technology (ICT)." "The day featured two engaging panel discussions, each showcasing three women working in various areas of ICT across multiple sectors. These panellists shared their personal journeys, discussed the diverse pathways into ICT, and offered advice on navigating the industry as women in tech." "A huge thank you to these women: Heather Todd from Yorb, Claire Durant from Trio Technologies, Theresa Byrne from Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ in our first panel, and Kerrie Hardgrave from UCOL's IT team, Harriet Lockett from FMG, and Clare Thomas from Nodero in our second panel." Hands-on activities Students also participated in activities designed to foster creativity and problem-solving. One challenge involved developing an app concept on paper in a rapid-fire session, followed by using an online app builder to create app prototypes. These activities emphasised the importance of collaboration and practical technology skills. Scarlett Baker and Isabelle Tan, students attending from Palmerston North Girls' High School, reflected on the experience of hearing directly from women in tech. Tan commented, "Neither of us are sure what specific career we'd like to go into but are open to what comes our way." Baker added, "One of the key points for me from the first panel was that there are so many different tech pathways and the different journeys the women had come from – from costume making to planning to work in sport at high school." Both Year 11 students expressed enthusiasm for the problem-solving aspects of technology and said they are looking forward to further studies in computer science next year. Tan said, "We definitely enjoy the problem-solving aspect of IT - I can't even imagine how many problems are waiting to be solved through technology. We're not sitting around coding in a dark room all the time like people might imagine." Industry perspectives The keynote address was delivered by Nancy Taneja, Chief Information Officer at Toyota New Zealand. She shared her pathway into ICT and addressed topics such as overcoming self-doubt and the importance of leadership and resilience in the sector. "It's about showing young women that there's a place for them in this industry. No matter where they've started, whether they're interested in cybersecurity, coding, design, data, or leadership - there are so many pathways, and we want them to see what's possible," said Taneja. Nancy Taneja also emphasised that the value of ShadowTech25 goes beyond simple career exposure, highlighting the breadth of opportunities available in technology fields. Nicola King, Digital Technologies Teacher at Palmerston North Girls' High School, noted the importance of the event in promoting confidence and real-world engagement. "It's fantastic to see our young women engaging with real-world tech professionals and gaining confidence in their own potential. The industry is constantly changing, which is exciting, so regardless of whether our girls are looking at going into animation, film, coding or any tech-adjacent roles there are opportunities out there for them to incorporate their passions into tech." Workforce needs Paula Richardson addressed New Zealand's need for more ICT professionals, stating the importance of these events in addressing national skill shortages. "Events like this are critical in getting our rangatahi interested and involved in careers that Aotearoa needs more people in," she said. Richardson added, "ICT careers are included in the Government's long-term skills shortage list, and it's one of those skills that are needed across all industries – whether it's ICT for education, government, health, trades, or private business. The opportunities in filling this skills gap are vast, so to enable that first step is fantastic." Student experience The event included lunch and goody bags provided by TechStep, contributing to a positive and engaging atmosphere. Attendees left with new knowledge of the diversity of technology careers and what pursuing a future in tech might involve.