SHADOWTECH IS AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAMME TO ENSURE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS HAVE FIRST-HAND INSIGHT INTO THE NEW ZEALAND TECH INDUSTRY.
ShadowTech has been running since 2014 where the first ShadowTech Day gave girls in years 9-11 the chance to shadow a tech professional for a day. In 2021 the ShadowTech program evolved to focus on secondary school teachers to widen the impact of the programme. Learn more about ShadowTech Teachers.
After a two year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, we are aiming to bring ShadowTech Day back in 2023. But we need support from organisations to make this programme available to girls across Aotearoa New Zealand.
ShadowTech Day provides young women in years 9-11 with an opportunity to experience what working in the tech sector could be like. It connects young women at school with women working in the tech sector, who act as mentors for the day so students can experience a day in the life of a tech professional.
With women making up only *27 per cent of the IT workforce, starting from only 39 per cent taking NCEA technology at school (*Digital Skills for our Digital Future Report), programmes like this help break down barriers and myths that girls have, that tech is boring and for boys.
The programme aims to encourage young women onto education pathways that lead into tech roles and careers in tech.
ShadowTech has joined TechHub and 123Tech as an integrated school outreach programme offered by the tech sector, a partnership between IT Professionals and NZTech. This integrated programme is delivered by IT Professionals. Learn more.
