Under the role of Project Manager of Venture West Coast, Gurden Consulting Ltd prepared the West Coast’s first regional digital strategy. This was one of the first of its kind in New Zealand. A greenfields project, the strategy contained three aims and six goals that presented an integrated approach to digital enablement planning. The strategy’s aims, all of which are still relevant today, were:
Aims:
- To have high speed ICT technologies that are equitable, affordable, available and accessible to all West Coasters.
- For West Coasters to know how to use the technologies to enhance all aspects of their lives.
- The use of ICT to enhance education, business and community development and assist West Coasters to operate in the global environment.
These aims were supported by six goals:
Goal One: Leadership – Supporting and strengthening a leadership network to champion ICT development on the West Coast.
Goal Two: Connection – Extending and upgrading the telecommunications infrastructure capability on the West Coast.
Goal Three: E-Centre Development – Establishing a regional network of interlinked entities as a base for ICT development and access. Schools, polytechnics, tertiary and adult education providers, libraries, REAP’s and Marae working together to provide opportunities for their communities through ICT.
Goal Four: Supporting the Education Sector – Establishing professional learning and technical support personnel for the West Coast early childhood, primary and secondary education sector. Supporting the initiatives that emerge from their work.
Goal Five: Driving Uptake – Implementing a range of initiatives to raise the profile and promote the use of ICT across industry, business and community sectors.
Goal Six: Growing the West Coast’s Future ICT Leaders – Creating opportunities for talented young people interested in ICT to advance their knowledge and skill base.
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Following preparation of the West Coast ICT Strategy, Gurden Consulting was engaged for three years working with technology specialists designing and delivering training initiatives to upskill people in their utilisation of technology. The project saw business and community workshops , after school and holiday events for youth, library initiatives and sports development through video conferencing. In total around 100 adult and over 70 youth events were held. |
Client: Development West Coast (2007 – 2011)