IRL and Unitec Collaboration To Bolster High-Tech Workforce

IRL and Unitec Collaboration To Bolster High-Tech Workforce

A closer working relationship between Industrial Research Ltd and Unitec aims to deliver more and better work-ready high-tech workers to New Zealand industry.

IRL and Unitec Institute of Technology today signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the two organisations collaborating closely for the benefit of the high-value manufacturing and services sector.

IRL General Manager of Industry Engagement Gavin Mitchell says the mutually beneficial collaboration will not only provide IRL with greater access to the skills and capability existing within Unitec, but also provide Unitec students with real-word experience on industry projects, as well as deliveringmore and better work-ready graduates to industry.

“By working more closely with Unitec, IRL will get to link New Zealand industry with a greater level of training capability, and a student-base with a highly desirable skill-set for project work,” he says. “The collaboration will also provide IRL with access to a broad range of technical skills complementing those in the CRIs and the universities.”

Dr Rick Ede, Chief Executive of Unitec welcomed the initiative, saying: “Unitec is excited about the opportunities that collaboration will bring for the two organisations in the areas of material science, product development, engineering and building productivity. Working with IRL will give our students unprecedented access to real industry projects, providing them with the valuable opportunity to work alongside researchers and industry in a constructive learning environment."

The MoU between IRL and Unitec is the latest in a range of initiatives IRL is pursuing with New Zealand universities and polytechnics aimed at ensuring the effective deployment and growth of R&D services as well as providing industry with the appropriate skills for high value manufacturing.

About IRL
Industrial Research Ltd’s purpose is to increase the contribution of the industrial manufacturing and associated sectors to the New Zealand economy by empowering industry to drive innovation in manufacturing and services. Its wide capability of science and engineering expertise serves sectors as diverse as pharmaceutical manufacturing, specialist food processing, and energy and power systems and enables it to act as the R&D arm of New Zealand industry. For more information visit: www.irl.cri.nz

About Unitec
Unitec is the largest Institute of Technology in New Zealand. With 23,000 students enrolled in 165 courses, Unitec is committed to the delivery of vocational and applied education and practically orientated research. Unitec believes in the transformative power of education. Their lecturers are a mix of working professionals who are authorities in their fields, industry specialists with in-depth knowledge of their subjects and professional academics undertaking research in their areas of expertise. Unitec’s focus on real world education provides work-ready graduates with highly sought after professional and vocational skills. For more information visit: www.unitec.ac.nz.

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