IT industry’s dynamic recession busting initiative

For Immediate Release

June 12, 2009

IT industry’s dynamic recession busting initiative

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — June 12, 2009 — This week a group of 10 skilled but unemployed IT consultants are taking part in five days of free software training. The idea was hatched by Stewart Gibbs, Manager Microsoft Dynamics and Tony Skelton, Managing Director of ACE Training  who were concerned that while broadly there were a number of IT roles available, there were skills shortages in some areas such as ERP.

“There’s a skill shortage when it comes to filling the demand for IT staff with skills and experience in Dynamics AX, and yet there are lots of good people in the industry who are struggling to find work right now. We  thought, let’s try something different,” said Gibbs. “A few phone calls later and we had a venue and recruiters onboard and it was agreed, let’s give 10 people a helping hand.”

Auckland based ACE Training provided the venue and IT resources at no charge and Evolution Group and Madison Recruitment identified the candidates.  

“This is a contribution that we’re able to make to help job seekers to overcome the challenges that the recession has presented, and I believe that the participants have greatly appreciated this opportunity to gain new skills,”  says Tony Skelton, managing director, ACE Training.

The participants are a talented, skilled group with experience ranging from five to 20 years in the IT sector. Some have been IT managers and CIOs, others have been consultants, project managers, programme managers and information system managers.

Participant and management consultant Nyree Osiek said “I am very passionate about IT solutions which improve business efficiency, and am always looking for the best solutions. Upskilling with Microsoft Dynamics means I can be involved in implementing these solutions.”

“I am extremely thankful for this training as I am a non-technical management consultant who may not usually get these opportunities. I think it is extremely innovative of Microsoft and ACE, and hope to be able to repay the favour,” said Osiek.

Richard Holmes has experience in finance systems, “But I needed to broaden my knowledge base of available solutions.  Dynamics AX is the de-facto industry leader and participation in this training course may assist me in obtaining a position with an organisation that utilises or sells this technology.”

“There’s a gap in the market for this skill set, with a lack of new talent coming through,” says Evolution Group director, Dave Conaghan. “This initiative takes people who have the skills and ability to take on board the new product knowledge in order to secure roles in the Microsoft Dynamics space.”

Madison Recuitment team manager – IT, Simon Martin agrees.  “Despite the recession there is a need to increase the talent pool and address the shortage of IT workers with niche technical skills,” says Martin.

In addition to the week of free training, Microsoft and ACE training  have provided networking opportunities for the course participants, hosting lunch meetings at ACE Training with Microsoft partners during the week and  promoting the participants  to the  Microsoft partner community. Participants will be provided with access to a demonstration database so that they can continue to learn on their own PCs at the end of the course.

Microsoft New Zealand also plans to run similar courses for Microsoft Dynamics NAV and CRM later this year.

--ends--

© Scoop Media