Waikato’s engineering and manufacturing sector is positioned to be well represented in New Zealand vocational education reform, with industry leads appointed to skills leadership groups and the national head office of the newly formed NZ Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) to be based in Hamilton.
Long-time WECA member Pam Roa, of Longveld, has been appointed to represent the Manufacturing, Engineering, Logistics and Technology sector as a member of the Waikato interim Regional Skills Leadership Group (iRSLG). The Government is setting up 15 RSLGs and six national Workforce Development Councils as part of the Review of Vocational Pathways (RoVE).
In this role, Pam will work alongside WECA, EMA, Engineering NZ and other stakeholders to develop regional labour market and economic strategies for the sector, which covers: Manufacturing and Processing, Engineering, Extractives and Drilling, Transport (heavy and commercial), Postal and Warehousing. See image below for other sector groups, that also mirror the six Workforce Development Councils that will be set up nationally by October 2020.
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The iRSLGs will operate for an initial term of six months and will then be reviewed three-monthly to June 2021, when the Regional Skills Leadership Groups will become fully operational. The Tertiary Education Commission must consider advice and plans from these groups when making investment decisions.
NZIST brings together the existing 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics into one organisation, and over time, will develop the capability to support work-based, campus-based and online learning as a unified system.
WECA is working to ensure the engineering and manufacturing sector plays a key role in the regional economic development strategy. We will be looking to host and lead scoping sessions with industry key players, including WECA members, Te Waka, Engineering NZ, EMA and other relevant parties, to ensure strong employer representation. This will ensure the strategy has a strong sector-specific focus and will consider what future skills are needed and how these can best be met by tertiary providers and Government, moving forward.
Your continued involvement in WECA ensures you have a voice in these reforms. Thank you!
Click for more about the Review of Vocational Education (RoVE)
Read on for more news from WECA and our sector.
The WECA Team - Mary, Sally, Levinia and Maddie
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Thanks to WECA supporters:
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WECA representation on skills group
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Congratulations Pam on being appointed to represent the Manufacturing, Engineering, Logistics and Technology sector as a member of the Waikato interim Regional Skills Leadership Group (iRSLG).
ABOUT PAM: Pam is a co-founder and Managing Director of Longveld Limited, a manufacturer specialising in stainless steel fabrication and engineering for the dairy industry, which has been operating from its Hamilton base for nearly 30 years. Pam has also been involved in leading business start-ups in dairy technology and human resource consulting.
Pam is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors in NZ, trustee of Momentum Waikato Community Foundation, Chair of the Waikato Women’s Fund, and Director of Purpose Capital GP Ltd. Pam has previously served in governance roles with Wintec, NZ National Fieldays Society, and Trust Waikato. She also chaired the Hamilton Arts Forum, an advisory panel to Hamilton City Council elected members.
Pam was born and raised in Hamilton by first generation Dutch immigrant parents. She gained a BSc in Chemistry and a BTech in Chemical Technology before completing a postgraduate diploma in Dairy Science & Technology and joining the NZ dairy industry’s graduate programme. Pam lives in Hamilton with her husband Les, who is of Ngāti Maniapoto descent, and is mum to three adult children.
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GET INVOLVED!! 2020 Waikato Engineering Careers Roadshow
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> East Waikato Careers and Employers Expo at Thames Civic Theatre
Wednesday August 12 & Thursday August 13
> Waikato Careers Expo at Claudelands Event Centre
NEW DATES Sunday August 23 & Monday August 24
> EVolocity Regional Final and Speed Interview Event
Friday October 16
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Young Waikato people (and their career teachers and parents) are keen for great information about go-ahead careers like engineering. With several careers events cancelled due to COVID, it is important WECA has strong employer involvement with events on our revised Roadshow calendar for 2020.
Please note the above key dates at let us know which you (or your team members) are keen to attend - this is a great chance to encourage and inspire the engineers of the future. Email maddie@weca.org.nz
You will be aware we were successful in receiving a Ministry of Education grant to run the Waikato Engineering Career Pathways Roadshow - a series of careers events throughout the region in 2020, including EVolocity Waikato, and was one of 32 industry groups throughout NZ to receive funding. Two events – Waikato Career Expo at Claudelands Event Centre and EVolocity Regional Final Speed Interview Event – are going ahead as planned, though please note the new dates for the Waikato Career Expo above.
The South Waikato Future Careers Pathway Expo was cancelled due to COVID, so we will instead include the East Waikato Careers and Employers Expo (Thames Civic Theatre) in the roadshow calendar instead, as below. Hundreds of students are expected to attend the newly scheduled East Waikato event, from secondary schools including: Coromandel Area School, Mercury Bay Area Schools, Hauraki Plains College, Thames High School, Waihi College, Te Aroha College and Morrinsville College. We would like 12-plus employers and industry representatives involved in each. Looking forward to seeing you!
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Keep manufacturing in mind, engineers tell Government
Waikato Business News
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Waikato Engineering Careers Association has spoken to dozens of engineers since lockdown with most reporting a “hump” of catch-up work for customers, and many predicting a “big ravine” looming from July.
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Most small and medium engineering businesses spoken to say they are working to prepare for an uncertain future but are reluctant to predict job losses. Several larger, Waikato-based global manufacturers servicing fast-moving consumer goods say they are busier than ever meeting essential demand but are cautious in planning for the future.
Waikato Engineering Careers Association manager Mary Jensen is calling on the Government to keep the sector front of mind when planning for economic recovery, particularly as it contributes about 12 percent ($23 billion) of New Zealand’s total GDP.
“We need to understand that the primary sector is reliant on our manufacturing and engineering sectors to make its huge contribution to our economy. It is extremely important these sectors are well supported so they can continue to bring in the overseas dollar and enable New Zealand’s economic recovery,” Jensen said.
Click to read more
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WECA Zooms: Members sharing COVID business strategies
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Thanks to all members who joined us in WECA Zoom meetings during lock down. It was excellent to see your friendly faces, and to hear the ways everyone was coping with the various levels of lock down.
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Mega-polytech headquarters for Hamilton
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The Government recently confirmed the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) – the new national institute made up of 16 polytechnics plus the country's training organisations – will be based in Hamilton.
NZIST chairman Murray Strong said Hamilton's accessibility, wide reach to learners and businesses and reflection of the diversity of the New Zealand economy helped seal the deal.
"Hamilton clearly demonstrated it understood the Government's vision for tertiary education. They also demonstrated their strong relationships between local government, iwi and central government and a commitment to learners." Murray said.
Congratulations to bid partners Hamilton City Council, Waikato-Tainui, Te Waka and the Waikato Chamber of Commerce. Great news for our city and region.
Read more
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Engineering Fast Track: University of Waikato
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Now, more than ever, New Zealand needs more creative engineers and at Waikato, that is what we do best. We lead the way when it comes to high-tech, innovative solutions to real-world problems.
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If you have a relevant degree, you may be able to complete a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) over two years, starting in July, through University of Waikato's new Fast Track graduate programme.
This new accelerated programme has been specially designed for skilled workers whose jobs may have been affected by COVID-19.
Who is eligible for the programme?
Those who are already working in the industry and have completed a New Zealand Certificate in Engineering or Diploma in Engineering and wish to upgrade to an accredited, professional engineering degree that is recognised around the world.
Those with degrees in earth sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics and/or computer science.
Click to find out more.
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A Word from our Sponsor: University of Waikato
The School of Engineering at the University of Waikato offers the full range of Engineering programmes, with all eligible programmes accredited by ENZ.
Engineering programmes include:
• Civil
• Mechanical
• Chemical and Biological
• Mechatronics
• Environmental
• Software
• Materials and Process
• Electrical and Electronics
Waikato Engineering students are more than just a number, they are part of a unified team and are guided by a diverse range of thought leaders and are solving real-life problems from day one of their degrees.
The job opportunities on our doorstep are rich and varied and our connections with industry are unparalleled, giving our students the opportunity to undertake 800 hours of valuable work placements supported by our Work Integrated Learning team, often followed by a permanent job.
Our students can also gain a unique business edge by concurrently studying towards a Diploma in Engineering Professional Practice, in conjunction with the Waikato Management School.
We provide a Summer study option called Jump Start for students to upskill in physics and mathematics for entry to the BEng(hon) programme. This is particularly suited to students who have not completed the necessary NCEA level 3 standards for calculus and/or those who completed lower mathematics or physics. Our flagship event is the annual Engineering and Design Show, attended by thousands of industry leaders and members of the public from across the Waikato and beyond. This is where our students truly shine and showcase their innovative edge.
Find out more about our engineering programmes and world-leading research at eng.waikato.ac.nz
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Copyright © 2020 Waikato Engineering Careers Association, All rights reserved.
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sally@weca.org.nz
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