Absolute IT published its Christchurch Regional Report in September 2020. It was based on survey results from job seekers and employers. This report provides fascinating insight into the motivations and mindsets of the IT/digital sector in South Island's most populous city. What are the key takeaways? What are the top tips for job seekers to get the best jobs and be able to meet the demands of the dynamic Canterbury tech market? All of this is covered right now. There are few jobs available that are in high demand. There is a strong demand for software developers in Christchurch. However, employers have had difficulty finding good talent in other areas. These include Digital & Cloud skills and Architects, but most importantly, Agile. People with skills in digital and cloud such as data security, DevOps and integration as well as serverless architecture like that made possible by AWS, should look into roles within Christchurch. Our research shows that there is a large gap between the demand for and availability of top quality talent. Our employers surveyed placed Business Analysts as the third most in-demand skill. They are known for their communication, critical thinking and assessment skills. Although there is not as much demand for these skills as Digital & Cloud, the gap between supply and demand was smaller than it might be for Digital & Cloud skills. However, the skills of Job Seekers indicated that there may not be enough BAs to meet the market's needs. This is what you can take away from it. Anyone with a BA is welcome to explore the tech sector in Christchurch if they are looking for a new job. The Agile Opportunity Agile is a skill that is in high demand in New Zealand. It's not in the top 10, but it is still in constant demand. This capability demand was high in other parts of New Zealand a few years back, but has been steadily declining in Christchurch. Agile is now one of the most sought-after skillsets by employers. Agile is not listed in the top 10 skills that job seekers have in our survey. This gap should be a chance for professionals who possess the required skill set to get into the market. According to the employers we surveyed, the demand for project managers in the region is far greater than the skills needed. Although there are some differences between traditional PM roles, it is possible that some project managers have some experience with Agile. This non-linear, quick-burst project management style could lead to more job opportunities. There are many jobs with lots of competition The tech industry in New Zealand is short of skilled talent. This is a good thing for those who do have the skills, but it makes it difficult for businesses to grow at the pace they want. Our research revealed that almost every case had as much demand as there was supply. Software development was the closest example of a 50/50 situation. This is a huge field that consistently ranks first on both the skills and demands lists. The Project Manager skills were the only one in our top 10 list of demand outshining supply. Although there aren't any project managers available, the employer options for this role are likely to be far more than for a systems architect. It is important to remember that the Canterbury IT sector has no problems finding people management. Management was reported to be the third most common skill in the workforce, and not even on the Employers' top ten skills list. There are also more intermediate roles such as admin and helpdesk, but employers seem to need specialist positions.
