AI Skills Training Demand Grows Across Aotearoa.

Jun 19

New research indicates a growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) skills in New Zealand and Australian workplaces, with employers willing to pay a premium for AI-skilled talent. However, both countries face a significant AI skills gap, with the majority of employers struggling to find the necessary talent and implement effective training programs.

New Zealand AI Skills Demand

79% of New Zealand workers are interested in developing AI skills, with interest spanning generations - 78% of Gen Z, 82% of Millennials, 76% of Gen X, and 70% of baby boomers would enroll in AI upskilling courses if offered.
90% of New Zealand employers expect to use AI-related solutions like chatbots and speech recognition within their organizations by 2028, with anticipated productivity gains of 49% through automation, improved workflows, and enhanced communication.
Despite 63% of New Zealand employers prioritizing hiring AI-skilled talent, 70% report difficulties finding the necessary skills, and 79% are unsure how to implement AI workforce training programs.

Australia AI Skills Gap

77% of Australian workers are interested in developing AI skills, with even 55% of baby boomers willing to enroll in AI upskilling courses if offered.
However, 75% of Australian employers report difficulties finding the necessary AI talent, and 73% are unsure how to implement effective AI workforce training programs.
The Business Council of Australia emphasizes the importance of investing in AI skills to ensure the region is prepared for future economic opportunities driven by AI adoption.

AI Skills Salary Boost

AWS research suggests AI skills could boost salaries in New Zealand by over 30%, with IT (41%) and R&D (38%) roles seeing the highest potential increases.Similarly, in Australia, AI skills could raise salaries by more than 29%, particularly in IT (37%) and business operations (35%).

Tech industry bodies like NZTech in New Zealand and the Business Council of Australia emphasize the need for collaboration between government, industry, and educators to address the AI skills gap and unlock productivity gains. Effective training programs and guidance for workers in developing relevant AI skills are crucial for both countries to remain competitive in the AI-driven future.

LinkedIn and McKinsey Insights

LinkedIn data shows a 142% increase in members adding AI skills like Copilot and ChatGPT to their profiles, indicating professionals are proactively upskilling themselves in AI.
A McKinsey report suggests Australian employers, governments, and educators should prepare for the evolving workforce needs driven by generative AI, which could automate up to 62% of existing task hours using currently available technology.The report emphasizes the importance of developing skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as critical thinking, complex problem-solving, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

AI Training Providers

Several organizations in New Zealand offer AI workshops and training programs to help businesses and individuals develop AI skills:

NewZealand.AI provides AI for Business Workshops tailored for small business leaders and senior leadership teams. These workshops cover AI fundamentals, use cases, tools, and strategies to leverage AI for boosting competitiveness, productivity, and innovation.
The Knowledge Academy offers comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Courses in New Zealand to help participants elevate their skills in AI tools for enhanced problem-solving.
Young Enterprise runs online AI workshops specifically designed for YES Students and Teachers. These 90-minute workshops, conducted by Justin Flitter, CEO of AI New Zealand, aim to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to integrate AI concepts into the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) while fostering entrepreneurial thinking.
New Zealand universities like AUT, Victoria University, University of Auckland, Massey University, University of Waikato, University of Canterbury, and University of Otago offer various AI-related programs, research projects, and courses as part of their computer science and information science curricula.
The AI Forum of New Zealand organizes the annual Aotearoa AI Summit, which brings together industry leaders, startups, government, and academia to explore AI adoption in New Zealand. The summit features keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

The Great New Zealand AI Roadshow

During August and September we’re hosting 10 super-practical AI for Business events around New Zealand.

These will be perfect for non-technical business leaders to discover why, where and how to leverage AI across their business.
From tools and techniques to practical use cases, governance and training, the Roadshow will help more than 1,000 businesses on their AI enablement journey.