More than 48,000 from around the world apply for a LookSee at Wellington
Applications have closed for LookSee Wellington.
People simply "looking for a free holiday" are being weeded out from the tens of thousands of tech experts who applied for a trip to Wellington for job interviews.
More than 48,000 applicants will be cut to just 100, who will descend on the capital in May through global talent search LookSee Wellington.
The ratepayer funded programme, which aims to boost ranks of mid and senior level technology experts, is offering free flights and accommodation for successful applicants.
Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (Wreda) chief executive Chris Whelan.
Applications closed last week, with the final tally exceeding organisers' targets "many times over".
READ MORE:
* LookSee Wellington website to relaunch following privacy breach
* Tech professionals seeking jobs in the capital crash LookSee website
* OPINION: Despite its cost, the logic of capital's IT recruitment drive seems hard to fault
* Ratepayers pick up bill for international IT specialists' Wellington job hunt
Project partners Workhere New Zealand said it had pre-screened 24,000 applicants. Those simply looking for a free trip to Wellington were canned.
Marie-Claire Andrews, who registered her company ShowGizmo with LookSee Wellington, says the biggest obstacle to growth for Wellington tech companies has been recruiting experienced talent.
Workhere managing director Damian Sainsbury said the quality of applicants was high.
"The submission process made it very clear that genuine skills, experience and desire to relocate are essential to progress, so people just looking for a free holiday quickly dropped out.
"That means our talent pool is already distilled, and the sheer volume of applicants means we'll be putting the very best people in front of our employers."
Workhere will create a shortlist of under 1000 candidates for consideration by registered Wellington employers.
Employers will then nominate applicants they would like to interview for mid to senior-level positions.
Following that, 100 selected candidates will then be chosen to visit Wellington in May, to undertake at least three job interviews and get a taste of life in the region.
LookSee Wellington, which launched in February, quickly gained global media attention, with publications including Forbes and The Daily Mail writing stories.
The most interest came from people from India, closely followed by the United States.
Some who registered with the site hold senior roles at major tech brands, including Facebook, Google and Amazon.
Marie-Claire Andrews, who registered her company ShowGizmo with LookSee Wellington, said there was a global shortage of talent in the technology sector.
"The biggest systemic obstacle to growth for Wellington tech companies has been recruiting enough experienced talent to meet our needs."
Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (Wreda) chief executive Chris Whelan said the initiative worked alongside the agency's programmes to support development and retention of local talent.
"As Wellington's strength in knowledge-intensive creativity becomes ever more valuable in an increasingly connected world, we have a tremendous opportunity."
BY THE NUMBERS
LookSee campaign site visits: 1,674,971
Total submissions: 48,703
Submissions screened to date: 24,000+
Registered Wellington employers: 52
Registered vacancies: 265
TOP 10 COUNTRIES BY ORIGIN FOR SUBMISSIONS:
India: 8000
USA: 7453
Brazil: 2339
Poland: 2093
China: 2039
Philippines: 1739
Singapore: 1702
UK: 1684
Germany: 1097
Argentina 1056
- Stuff
Comments