Unleashing The Potential Of The NZ Workplace

Wednesday, 14 April 2004, 11:00 am
Press Release: Unknown

PRESS RELEASE

Unleashing The Potential Of The New Zealand Workplace

Employers throughout New Zealand have highlighted the shortage in skilled staff as a key impediment for business growth. This is a worldwide issue as companies overseas seek to attract highly skilled and experienced New Zealand trades people and technicians. The median age for skilled trades’ people in New Zealand is approaching 40 years of age. Notwithstanding initiatives like the Modern Apprenticeship program, much needs to be done to address the current skills gap.

The Maori Industry and Training Summit will provide a platform for closer collaboration between Industry and Employers, Maori Organisations and Training Institutions. The Summit will be hosted on the 22nd and 23rd of April by Te Wananga o Aotearoa in Mangere, Auckland. Keynote presenters include Dr James Buwalda, CEO for the Department of Labour; Shane Jones, Chairperson of the Maori Fisheries Commission; Patrick Smith from Sealords and Paul Trass from Carter Holt Harvey. The summit will also hear from the Principal of Mangere College, John Heyes and trainees at UNITEC and Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

The Maori working population is the most under realized sector of the New Zealand workforce. Conference Convenor Dr Rongo Wetere states that unless efforts are made now to increase skills from numeracy and literacy through to management level and to increase opportunities for greater participation in high tech New Zealand Industries, the implications for our country in the future will be catastrophic. The Summit is very appreciative of the support from Business New Zealand, The Industry Training Federation and The Department of Labour.

The summit will focus on the development of a scorecard which will provide objectives and goals for participation across industry as well as setting objectives for successful transition from school to employment. Information and registration forms are available from www.twoa.ac.nz or www.kawaultd.com.

ENDS

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