The growth of High Tech companies is being stifled by the lack of appropriately qualified technical talent - and market forces and culture are not adjusting to resolve the problem fast enough.

The panel facilitated by Bill Bennett, Technology Journalist, including Kirsti Grant (Head of Talent, Vend), Hon Steve Maharey (Vice Chancellor, Massey University), Tanya Gray (Gather workshops in schools), and a High School student, Matthew Canham, who has recently returned from a trip to Silicon Valley will discuss some of the associated issues such as the lack of role models in the technology industry, the low number of youth choosing technology as a career path, the image of “geeks in front of computers in the basement” and the disconnect between skills learned at tertiary level and what is needed in the business world.

Do not miss this lively debate!

Date: 26th August, 5.30-8pm

Venue: Gate 1, Massey University, Sir Neil Waters Building

Cost: Free

Note: Plenty of parking available at Massey University