React and Thrive: How The Tech Sector in Canterbury Can Overcome Challenges and Grow
Canterbury is home to a thriving tech sector with a number of exciting companies doing incredible work. From established players to up-and-coming startups, the region has a wealth of talent and innovation that is driving the growth of the tech industry. Despite this success, however, there are challenges that the region must overcome in order to truly become a tech hub.
One of the biggest challenges facing the tech sector in Canterbury is a lack of local talent. Many of the region’s tech companies struggle to find qualified employees, often having to look outside the region or even the country to fill positions. This lack of local talent can hold back the growth of the tech sector and make it difficult for companies to scale up and compete on the global stage. In order to overcome this challenge, the region must invest in education and training programs that can help to develop the workforce and provide the skills that the tech companies need.
Canterbury seems to be more reactive than proactive when it comes to change. There is even a lack of tertiary education in some subjects like blockchain to prepare the region’s workforce for the future of Web3 and smart contract that could clearly support additional growth of the tech sector. As more companies adopt these technologies, the demand for workers with knowledge and skills in these areas will grow. Teaching blockchain and Web3 can also foster more innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. But what is even more important is to start really young, start highlighting to high schoolers what a career in tech could look like because it’s not just computer programmers that make up the tech sector.
In addition to the lack of local talent, there is also a lack of collaboration across different sectors in Canterbury. While there are certainly pockets of collaboration, there is room for more cross-sector collaboration in order to drive innovation and growth. This could include more collaboration between tech companies and other industries, such as local councils, government, SMBs, enterprise & private investment, in order to develop new technologies and applications that can benefit these sectors. By fostering collaboration and partnerships, Canterbury can create a more vibrant and dynamic tech ecosystem that can help to drive economic growth and innovation.
Despite these challenges, there is reason to be optimistic about the future of Canterbury’s tech sector. With the right support Christchurch has the potential to become the “Tech Capital of New Zealand,” similar to how Wellington was promoted as such in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In order to do this, Canterbury must embrace and support cutting-edge technologies and innovation, especially the newer industries like Web3 and AI. By investing in these technologies and supporting the people that are driving innovation in the region, Canterbury can position itself as a leader in the tech industry, train our students to be leaders and attract more jobs to the region.
Overall, the future of Canterbury’s tech sector is bright, but it will require a concerted effort to overcome the challenges and fully realize its potential. By investing in education and training, fostering collaboration across sectors, and embracing emerging technologies, the region has the opportunity to become a world-class tech hub and drive economic growth and innovation in the region.
