Ɣ How to become a software developerSoftware developers write, test, develop and maintain computer software.

Qualifications needed

Software developers require a strong understanding of the underlying concepts and principles of software development, and some experience with development environments and lan-guages. This knowledge can be gained through informal practical experience, but programmers usually have one or both of the following:

• a tertiary qualification in computing, information systems, or related field, or

• in some instances, specialist certification in security, testing or other standards.

Cost of study

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science

$20,000 over 3 years

Average costs in 2015 for a domestic student. Costs vary between institutions. Further costs include materials, textbooks, and accommodation.

Rents vary from place to place. Estimated market rents by re-gion, city and suburb are available on the MBIE Tenancy Services website.

The StudyLink website provides general budget advice for students, and the Sorted website provides help with detailed budget planning.

→ Tenancy Services: www.tenancy.govt.nz

→ StudyLink: www.studylink.govt.nz

→ Sorted: www.sorted.org.nz/calculators/money-planner

Where to study

Software developers gain many skills on the job and attend a wide range of courses to update their knowledge and tech-niques. Most tertiary institutions in New Zealand provide training in computer science, information systems, ICT and other related fields.

Registration

The Institute of IT Professionals (IITP) is the ICT sector’s profes-sional body. It works to improve education and professional standards in the ICT industry in New Zealand and around the world. Although there are many ICT-related organisations and groups in New Zealand, IITP is the only professional body. It also offers accreditation for IT professionals through its International Technology Certified Professional (ITCP) programme.

It is expected that software developers who hold professional accreditation will have a significant advantage in the job market; they will command a higher level of pay than those without professional accreditation.

Further information on certification can be found in the ITCP website.

→ ITCP: www.itcp.org.nz

Completed qualifications

The number of students completing computer science or infor-mation systems degrees grew from 715 in 2007 to 1,250 in 2014 (up 69%).

Source: Ministry of Education

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500

1,000

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Bachelor's Degree- Computer ScienceBachelor's Degree- Information Science

SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS JOB PROSPECTS

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JOB PROSPECTS New software developer graduates are in high demand. There is a shortage of software developers in New Zealand, and continuing growth in job vacancies.

The number of developers has grown steadily over recent years, but demand is expected to continue increasing in the fast-developing ICT industry.

At a glance

MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY

Ɣ Income and employment prospectsIncome

In 2015, the average income for software and applications programmers was $84,700. Average income for programmers varies widely – depending on their responsibilities, the type of programming work they do, and geographic location.

Estimated average income

$84,700

Average income from Statistics New Zealand Income Survey

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in the field of computer sci-ence earned $41,800 one year after their study ended. After five years, income had increased to $62,450.

Median earnings after qualification completion

One year Two years Three years

$41,800 $46,800 $62,450

Source: Ministry of Education

Employment and skill shortages

Software developers’ employment

Current Projected growth

2013 2014 2014–19 2019–24

20,300 22,550 up 11.1% 4.6% per year 4.2% per year

There has been steady growth in the number of software devel-opers employed in recent years. There is also strong projected employment growth of around 4.6% per year from 2014-19 and 4.2% per year to 2024.

Source: MBIE Estimates

A number of specific occupations for software developers ap-pear on Immigration New Zealand’s long-term skill shortage list, which means the government is actively encouraging skilled peo-ple in these jobs from overseas to work in New Zealand. These in-demand software occupations include analyst programmer, developer programmer, software engineer, and software tester. A full list is available on the Immigration New Zealand website.

→ Immigration NZ, skill shortage list: skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz

Where to find job vacancies

The number of online job vacancies for software developers decreased by 15.1% from September 2014 to September 2015. This compares with an overall increase of 1.9% for all skilled vacancies over the same period.

Vacancies for software developers are advertised through public media such as the Trade Me Jobs and Seek websites.

→ Trade Me Jobs: www.trademe.co.nz/jobs

→ Seek: www.seek.co.nz

Career path

Once a software developer has learnt the required fundamental skills, they may progress to become senior programmers, soft-ware architects, or chief information officers.

Ɣ Other informationLinks

More information on software developers is available on the Careers New Zealand website.

→ Careers New Zealand: www.careers.govt.nz

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35,000

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2009 2014 2019 2024

MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY

SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS