The year has started well for WECA, and we will have an special announcement at our first member's event for the year, Thursday March 5th, from 4pm to 6pm at Wintec Rotokauri. Click here to RSVP. We'd love to see as many of you as possible as we launch EVolocity Waikato 2020 - the secondary school electric vehicle competition - as well as a very exciting new initiative.
We are pleased to welcome our new Chair Keith Fraser (PACT Group), right, who has a few words to say about his appointment below and new trustee Adrian Marshall (JP Marshall). We also welcome affiliate EngineeringNZ (formerly IPENZ), with ENZ Chair Cameron Chapman observing on the WECA Board with a view to joining. WECA will this year work alongside Te Waka, EngineeringNZ and EMA to develop a Labour Market Strategy for Manufacturing and Engineering, including developing and attracting talented staff.
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Big thanks to outgoing Chair Dave Stuart (Stafford Engineering), who retains a seat on the board, and outgoing WECA trustee and longtime supporter Bart Engelsman - best wishes Bart on your retirement. Bart will continue to be involved in mentoring students in the EVolocity secondary school electric vehicle competition.
Read on for more WECA news...
All the best for a prosperous and healthy 2020! Sally, Mary, Levinia and Maddie
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Please join us at the launch of...
EVolocity Waikato 2020!
and for a special WECA announcement!
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When: Thursday March 5th, 4pm to 6.30pm
Where: Wintec Rotokauri Campus, 51 Akoranga Rd
What: Join us to launch EVolocity 2020: Design, Build and Race an electric vehicle schools programme.
At this event each school team will race to electric power an 18 speed mountain bike.
WECA employers and industry leads, please join us to network, mentor students and for an exciting announcement to kick off 2020!
RSVP NOW maddie@weca.org.nz
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Introducing new Chair - Keith Fraser
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Keith (BMS, Strategic Management and Leadership) has been with PACT Group for more than nine years in an HR capacity, and currently is the GM of Human Resources for the group throughout New Zealand. He joined the WECA board in 2010 during his time with NDA, and worked in HR roles for the pulp and paper industry in his early career. Born in the UK, Keith grew up in Whangarei from age eight and then lived in the Bay of Plenty 15 years before moving to the Waikato.
"WECA provides a really good platform founded on a model we know works. I am pleased to be leading the association into the new decade, and to be supporting the team to gain the traction needed to step into sector leadership. We have an opportunity to play a leadership role with the Reform of Vocational Education, and our region is in a good position for this. WECA will also continue to build on the good work of those who have gone before us and the initiatives we are well known for; networking events, excellent communications to young people, a strong network of educators and employers, advocacy on behalf of members, Mana in Mahi and more." - Keith Fraser
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Mana in Mahi: WECA members benefit
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Several WECA members have taken on Government-subsidised young team members via Mana in Mahi, with WECA's new Projects Assistant Maddie Walker joining the team via the programme. Maddie will assist with running WECA events throughout the year. She brings event co-ordination experience and plenty of enthusiasm to her new role. Find out more about Mana in Mahi here.
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"Career wise I’d had a couple of false starts. When this opportunity came along it was the perfect chance for me to do something I am really passionate about - developing relationships and being productive."
Maddie (WECA Projects Assistant)
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ABOUT MANA IN MAHI:
Mana in Mahi gives WECA members the first pick of screened young people who are motivated to work, not to mention 12 months pastoral care and access to Govenment subsidies for both employer and young team member.
EMPLOYERS
• Must offer at least 30 hours per week for at least 12 months at at least the adult minimum wage, plus further training opportunities.
• Receive $9580.00 wage subsidy (paid in two lump sums) from MSD
• Up to $2000.00 for pre-employment training and work readiness costs (including driver licensing, or any license specific to the business or industry, Site Safe, etc).
EMPLOYEES
• Will be 18 – 24 years of age, unemployed or 'at-risk'
• Receive assistance with transitioning to work (e.g. equipment, transport such as assistance to purchase a bike or petrol or bus fare for the first week.)
• Work on a plan with employers to receive incentive payments (supplied by MSD) of up to $1000 on 91 days, 182 days and 365 days (total up to $3000) of continuous employment
WECA SUPPORT:
• Finds placement opportunities
• Identifies employer needs and “workplace buddy”
• Sets up interviews to select successful candidate(s) and briefs employer and buddy
• Provides pastoral care for employee
• Is a point of contact for the employer
• Collates feedback
Contact us now if you're keen to offer a young person work via Mana in Mahi.
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WANTED: Old Evolocity vehicles
Last year's EVo vehicles taking up precious shed space?? Add them to the brand new EVolocity display area at Hamilton EV's fantastic showroom in Frankton. The more the merrier! Include posters or signage from your school and help us generate more publicity for the EV REVOLUTION!
Bikes or karts without electric vehicle kits are fine - they don't need to be functional - Contact the Hamilton EV team now to arrange drop off to:
6 Rawhiti St, Frankton
0800 959 400
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Welcome new WECA Affiliate: Engineering NZ
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Engineering New Zealand (formerly IPENZ) is a not-for-profit professional body that promotes the integrity and interests of members, the profession, and the industry. It seeks to "bring engineering to life" and has more than 20,000 members. ENZ members are from a wide variety of engineering fields and backgrounds including academia, government and firms in engineering and technology professions. ENZ's strategy has four key points: connection, credibility, influence and recognition.
1. Create greater connection with the industry and across society.
2. Build greater credibility so New Zealanders have confidence and trust in the work that we do.
3. Grow stronger influence with government and industry so we can shape and form the agenda on key issues.
4. Generate greater public recognition for the fundamental contribution engineers make to society.
www.engineeringnz.org
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Welcome new WECA Member: WEL Networks
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WEL Networks has been serving the Waikato for 100 years, distributing power from the national grid, connecting more than 160,000 people to electricity services through 91,000 installation connection points. Based in Hamilton, WEL Networks plays an essential role in the region's economic and social development by identifying and investing in new technologies that will modernise the network and future-proof the region. The business employs about 20 qualified engineers, mostly electrical with some mechanical and civil. WEL also employs 10+ people in the design engineering space.
www.wel.co.nz
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WECA Section: FutureForce® Careers Resource
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WECA members are invited to be part of the engineering careers section of Waikato's go-to careers resource FutureForce® Waikato for a very special rate.
Profile your business and young team members, and support coverage of our sector for just $1490+gst for a full page plus $250+gst loading for website and $150+gst for social media (normally $2390+gst).
Email now to find out more
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FutureForce® FACTS:
> 13,000+ copies printed (free for every Y 11, 12 and 13 student in Waikato) > Developed in partnership with Careers and Transitions Educators (CATE) as a classroom resource > 12-18-month shelf life for 2019/2020 > Bonus distributions at the regional Careers Expo in June, at Smart Waikato Trust events and at CATE (Career and Transition Educators) events > Approx. 80 pages, full colour format, high quality > Strong social media and web following (sponsored posts on Facebook typically receive 2000+ views by young Waikato people and their teachers and families
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A word from WECA Sponsors...
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Hamilton Electric Vehicles are proud to be the only EV, dedicated electric vehicle showroom in Hamilton and supporting Waikato towns.
Delivering competitive pricing, unmatched service and support packages with every EV investment. We have the vehicles, from around town city cars, to family cars, motorbikes, scooters and Segways........ if it’s an electric vehicle we have them either in the showroom or in transit. Pop in to our huge air-conditioned showroom for a chat, enjoy our customer lounge area for a hot or cold beverage. Book our function / education space for your group or business meeting and enjoy the ambiance that Hamilton Electric Vehicles offers.
Pop in and see us at 6 Rawhiti St, Frankton, Hamilton!
Follow us on Facebook. |
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A word from ETCO...
The Electrical Training Company (Etco) is New Zealand’s leading training provider for the electrical industry. Since 1991 we have helped thousands of apprentices and students into rewarding and successful careers.
Etco apprentices undertake a combination of on-the-job training, with host companies, and off-the-job training, including block courses and night classes. We employ apprentices throughout their training, placing them with host companies in placements that ensure they gain skills and experience in a variety of domestic, commercial and industrial settings.
We provide training at 35 locations country-wide. This includes our new state-of-the-art training centre in Hamilton, equipped with the most modern learning technology and systems.
Hosts pay one simple weekly charge for the hours an apprentice has worked. Etco covers all trainings costs, and supplies a start-up tool kit and PPE, all of which means Etco reduces costs, risk and stress for host companies. Apprentices undergo a 12-day residential induction, including site safe training, before beginning placements. We cover all leave, public holidays and ACC and KiwiSaver contributions
We also take care of all assessments and provide structured HR, pastoral care and study support. Etco apprentices lead the field in national examinations and competitions.
Our stakeholders include schools, parents, electrical companies and contractors, partners, sponsors and government. We work with schools to promote the career pathways available to high-achieving school-leavers, and with businesses to provide them with high calibre apprentices and meet their apprentice training needs.
Through sharing information, receiving feedback and consultation, we secure the best candidates, ensure work placements are available and deliver the highest standards of training to prepare apprentices to make a positive contribution to the industry.
www.etco.co.nz
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