Company taps into IT skill set

A Masterton business is looking to draw skilled IT professionals into Wairarapa, and hoping to work with other companies to keep them here.

Vending Management Services (VMSL) started out as a "DIY" manufacturer and is now building on software development.

While the 20-strong company still has a focus on software used in vending machines, it is looking at other software development opportunities working with international corporates.

The company has recently shifted from its long-standing Norfolk Rd location to a Queen St office, shutting down the manufacturing shop, and is looking to build the ranks of IT professionals it can call on for new work.

General manager Andy Kerr said as well as looking for specific skills from experienced professionals, it wants to bring graduates into Wairarapa.

"The new grad market is quite depressed.

"We want people who are young, energetic but smart, worldly, got a bit of world outlook. It means they can come in and do a job for us and get experience and use that somewhere else."

Mr Kerr said he was interested in hearing from other businesses who might also be interested in bringing them here, so the graduates could move from company to company getting a variety of experience.

He said while they will employ local people if they have the right skills, he is not convinced the skills exist in Wairarapa.

"There's enough people doing it, but it's not necessarily an industry here ... I think we've got an opportunity there provided we make an effort."