ANZ bank and Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) have entered into a partnership with the aim of encouraging women to consider technology careers and address the industry shortage of skilled female IT professionals in New Zealand.

ANZ will provide a new award for outstanding female technology graduates at WelTec and has begun a Technology Internship Program.

The bank employs more than 600 people in its technology team and says it has noticed a lack of women entering the IT industry.

“The gender balance in New Zealand's IT workforce is bleak with females making up just 25% and fewer women studying IT at tertiary level, indicating a worrying downward trend,” says Craig Bunyan, ANZ New Zealand general manager technology.

“Diversity in our workforce means we can deliver better solutions for our customers. Right now we're missing out on a lot of talent who are looking past a career in technology.

“We're building a relationship with WelTec to encourage more women into technology, through this award and also through our Technology Internship Program.

“With one of the largest Schools of Business and IT in the country and almost 450 people studying IT at degree and post graduate level, WelTec was the ideal partner to work with to start addressing the skills shortage and gender imbalance in the IT industry,” says Bunyan.

Linda Sissons, WelTec chief executive, says internships are 'the most real way' students can be educated.

“We are delighted to partner with ANZ which, by offering an award and an internship programme, is acting proactively to get more women into IT.

The $2,000 ANZ Award for Most Outstanding Female Graduate was presented this week to Georgia Bennett, who has graduated with a Bachelor of information Technology majoring in Information Assurance and Security.

“Under-representation by women in technology is a well documented issue and to address it New Zealand needs to do more with young women and even girls at secondary school,” says Bennett.