Congratulations to OMGTech! for the corporate support they have gathered to carry out technology workshops for New Zealand youth - this is how real and productive change is made...by diving in and getting it done yourself.

See https://idealog.co.nz/tech/2015/10/ict-education-schools-we-cant-afford-wait

We should indeed be inspiring kids right now to think creatively about their own future and showing them how technology can help solve societal issues and drive economic growth.

For the last four years in Nelson, we have run a fabulous annual festival in April called INSPIRE, and it's all about inspiring our youth, connecting them with innovative ideas and leaders in STEAMS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths, and Society) fields, and providing a creative platform for students to get the motivation and passion to drive their own learning. The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology gives us free reign of their beautiful and well-resourced campus for 4 days and nights, and in 2016 we are targeted to reach over two thousand participants (and tickets sell out within minutes).

INSPIRE promotes real communication and enthusiasm between extraordinary learning and future possibilites for students. NMIT, OPUS, Nelson Pine Industries, King Salmon, Air Nelson, local government, regional charities, and now Microsoft are just some of our major sponsors; session speakers have also included innovators from Weta Digital, HitLab, TradeMe and university professors from all over NZ.

We are thrilled at the support OMGTech! has received as validation that corporate NZ believes in the abilities and future of NZ youth - and hope that Michelle Dickinson will accept an invitation to come speak at INSPIRE and share the vision of what more, and inspired, technology skill building can do for New Zealand. Well done OMGTech!

If you want to help NZ's students realise their potential as future leaders and innovators, then lend your support to INSPIRE - drop us a line at [email protected]