Business management platform MYOB is extending its DevelopHer programme to New Zealand for the first time.
The company is now offering two Aotearoa-based women the opportunity to develop their skills in order to increase the number of women in technical roles.
The programme was only previously available in Australia and has been running for five years.
MYOB's head of employee services, Felicity Brown, said the company was "thrilled" to launch in Aotearoa on International Women's Day, saying it would help empower more local talent to a career in the technology sector.
"With the economic potential technology and SaaS (Software as a Service) growth holds for New Zealand, it's more important than ever that we look to bridge the skills gap by nurturing the talent we already have on our home soil," Brown said.
"One opportunity to do this is by providing more platforms where women can start and develop a career in technology development."
Successful candidates get a paid full-time internship, with a focus on technology development at MYOB.
After completing the internship, candidates become protégé developers, which is then followed by an offer of full-time employment as an associate developer.
"MYOB's DevelopHer programme aims to break the bias when it comes to gender diversity in technology and offers women who have no technical experience, an opportunity to start, upskill and progress a career in this fast-growing sector," Brown said.
"The paid programme provides candidates with supportive mentors and is designed to offer an optimal learning environment that will see them thrive. It's a great beginning to an exciting and boundless career."
The opportunity is designed to address the lack of diversity in the technology sector in New Zealand.
The Digital Skills Aotearoa Report in 2021 said just 27 percent of those working in digital technology roles were women.
Mehak Mahajan, who completed the programme in February, was extremely grateful for the opportunity DevelopHer offered.
"I could never have imagined I would learn so much in six months," Mahajan said.
"The supportive environment you are in for DevelopHer, with mentors and friends helping you along every step of the way, had me constantly improving and excited about my future career in the sector.
"I assure you, no one can stop women when they start believing in themselves."
The DevelopHer programme is open to women of all ages, backgrounds and skill sets, the company says, and those interested can find out more on the MYOB jobs website.
