Grow Wellington is offering Wellington businesses a free seat on board an upcoming campaign targeting ICT talent in Australia.

The regional economic development agency’s General Manager for Business Attraction, Melissa Davies, says there are more than 500 current ICT vacancies in Wellington.

“We know there’s a shortage of technology talent in the region so we are working with businesses and central government agencies to find innovative ways of attracting people to live and work here,” Davies says.

“This is an opportunity for Wellington employers to profile themselves and list their job vacancies free of charge on the WorkHere New Zealand site.

“Wellington has a dynamic ICT sector full of world-leading companies and amazing local talent. Teamed up with the great lifestyle opportunities, it makes a very attractive option for overseas workers.”

The Minstry of Business Innovation and employment, through Immigration New Zealand are backing the online campaign which kicks off in Australia on 17 September and runs till 31 October.

It will target ex-pat Kiwis, Australians and others working across the tech spectrum in Australia, including Developers, Project Managers, Business Analysts, Testers and associated support roles.

Candidates will be driven to the Workhere New Zealand site where they can read about companies that are hiring and apply for jobs. They can also find out about the NZ tech industry and what the Wellington region has to offer.

Grow Wellington will be approaching ICT businesses in the region to see if they want to participate.

The campaign is one of several initiatives Grow Wellington have taken part in this year to attract talented people to the region.

In March, the agency represented the region at the South by South West technology and business trade show in Texas.

In May, Grow Wellington worked with Immigration New Zealand, local recruitment companies and technology companies on a campaign to attract skilled IT staff from the UK.