New Future IT Program wins the Territory’s top tech award
The Territory’s tech-wizards were celebrating on Friday night. Read why and who won.
Business
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A Territory-focused company offering targeted help desk, remote and onsite support services has won the top gong at the Digital Excellence Awards held at Parliament House on Friday.
Jeremy Boucher from New Future IT Program won the Minister’s NT Digital Excellence Gold Award at the annual awards which acknowledge the Territory’s emerging IT sector.
Digital Excellence Awards chair Damien Charles praised the quality and variety of nominees, saying it highlighted the “strength and vitality” of the Territory’s digital sector.
“From the creativity of The Array providing opportunities for games development and digital eco-systems to the focus of businesses such as New Futures IT, the quality of nomination was extremely high,” Mr Charles said.
“Through its owner-director Jeremy Boucher, New Futures IT works towards improving digital literacy and opportunities for indigenous Territorians in regional and remote communities.
“These are just two examples of how the digital industry stands ready to help make a difference with the Territory’s future economic recovery.”
Mr Charles said there had been significant change in the NT’s IT landscape in recent years.
“The digital industry in the Northern Territory has seen significant growth and opportunity over the last few years, with the establishment of NextDC’s data centre and undersea cables connecting the NT to Asia and the rest of the world improving redundancy and connections speeds.
“We have seen further growth in local businesses and already a number of our local industry members, including Friday night’s Business of the Year winner, Jackadder International, are creating opportunities and business relationships in other states as well as in Timor-leste.
“One of the big challenges facing the Northern Territory digital industry, as with many other industries in the NT, is finding skilled and experienced people to meet the workforce demands.”
Mr Charles said a bright spot was the quality of young students coming out of Charles Darwin University and STEM students in primary and secondary education.
“While we might be seeing skills shortages now, we have the right people coming in to join the industry to help build on the current successes,” he said.
The event was hosted by comedian and one-time Doug Anthony All Stars frontman Paul McDermott, with Corporate and Digital Development Minister Josh Burgoyne in attendance to celebrate with the industry and present Mr Boucher with his award.
List of Digital Excellence Awards winners:
* NEC Secondary STEM Student of the Year – Samritha Bharanidharan
* Fortinet Primary Schools STEM Curious Creator of the Year – Samuel Palakal
* Red Centre Technology & New Future IT – ICT Rising Star of the Year – Cong Do Le
* ACS ICT Professional of the Year – Dylan Bennett
* AISA Cyber Security Professional of the Year – Carter Smith
* Digital Future DCDD Inspiring Women – Lily Kawai
* The Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations – innovation of the Year – The Array
* Kinetic IT Community Benefit Project/Program – New Future IT Program
* ICTNT Local ICT Business of the Year – Jackadder International
* CDU Code Fair – Overall Awards for Most Outstanding Entrant – The Business Innovation * Team of - Nithya Romeshika Yamasinghe, Shishtata Bhandari, Afra Nawar Amin, Gilbertofer Tanoto
* The Ministers NT Digital Excellence Gold Award – Jeremy Boucher, New Future IT Program
Gallery from the Digital Excellence Awards
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