On October 1st this year, Tauranga will once again play host to the biggest FREE street festival in New Zealand, celebrating all things Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. The event, known as ‘STEMFest’, is growing every year and is encouraging the tech sector to play a bigger role this year.
We all understand the vital role that technology plays in our lives and our economy, and the imperative need to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive global landscape. The classic Kiwi “she’ll be right” attitude means we are effective at bootstrapping our tech businesses and bringing them to the globe, but by the same token we all know that labour and talent shortages are restricting our ability to scale effectively.
Instead of waiting for failed government initiatives, why not start inspiring our future leaders and decision makers as early as possible? The Tech industry, like many others, should be playing the long game and investing time, energy and inspiration into a much younger sector of the population. That’s where STEMFest comes in.
Why should you participate in the Tauranga STEM Festival?
Anticipating Future Labour Shortages
The tech industry continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, with groundbreaking advancements emerging seemingly every week. However, this rapid growth comes with a unique set of challenges. One of the most significant concerns we face is the projected shortage of skilled professionals to meet our demands in the future.
Studies predict an impending labour shortage across various, tech is not immune. This shortage is attributed to several factors, including the aging workforce, rapid technological advancements, and the increasing demand for specialised skills. If NZ is to build a strong knowledge economy as hoped, we must build a proper foundation first!
Building a Knowledge Economy – the Younger the Better
The festival provides a unique platform for companies, industry professionals, educators, and young minds to come together and forge meaningful connections. By actively participating in the event, you can contribute to the development of a strong talent pipeline that will drive innovation from a young age and ensure our collective success.
Inspiring the Next Generation
STEMFest offers a great opportunity for you to showcase your latest technological advancements, products, and services to a highly engaged audience. From cutting-edge software solutions to 3D print, robotics or revolutionary hardware, this is your chance to captivate young children and whānau, generating valuable exposure for your brand.
Interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and joyful encounters all provide a “learning by stealth” experience that helps to shape the aspirations of budding technologists. By investing in their education and encouraging their curiosity, you contribute to the long-term sustainability and growth of the tech industry.
Mark Your Calendars and Join Us
We would love to have more tech partners be a part of our festival. Too many companies are waiting until kids are in their late teens to try to inspire them, when the reality is that most of them have already been lost and have made decisions to pursue avenues outside STEM.
Our sponsor partners enjoy a range of benefits depending on contribution level. Premium festival space, dedicated social media love as well as radio, print and other advertising messages. Now is your opportunity to join the STEMFest family and stand out as a major tech partner of this truly unique festival – there really is no other event like it in the Southern Hemisphere.
To find out more, contact event project manager Nathan Turley at nathan@stemwanatrust.nz or visit https://stemfest.nz
