Ngā kōrero ahunga whakamua mō ā mātou kaupapa hei arotahi me ngā rāngai | Progress updates on our focus areas and sectors
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The Nelson Tasman 2022 RWP set out actions we will take to respond to our local labour market challenges and opportunities for two demographic groups and two sectors that have been our focus for the last year. This section provides a progress update on these actions and next steps. We have also been busy talking to stakeholders and collating information to include our two new sectors – Forestry and Wood Processing and Visitor Sector.
Aquaculture
We have supported implementation of the following actions:
- Projections work to forecast the scale and capability of the future aquaculture workforce to 2035.
- Pathways and Promotion work to map existing roles and career pathways; the skills training and qualifications for those roles; and identify opportunities to promote them.
- Work with Muka Tangata and Te Pūkenga to deliver updated and existing qualifications in ways that allow more people to participate.
- Collaborate and coordinate nationally with other RSLG with regional aquaculture workforces.
- Support NRDA in their work leading to the development of a Te Tauihu Oceans Economy Strategy.
- Partner with government and industry to develop and deliver a National Aquaculture Workforce Strategy and an agreed Workforce Action Plan.
Key milestones and activities
Aquaculture NZ (AQNZ) published the National Aquaculture Workforce Strategy in October 2022.
Regular collaboration and information sharing between RSLG and aquaculture workforces has ensured a cohesive approach to national advice to TEC, with stronger partnerships between RSLG and central government such as MPI; MBIE Sector Workforce Engagement Programme (SWEP); Just Transitions; and with Muka Tangata and Hanga Aro Rau WDCs.
The RSLG connected SWEP with AQNZ to secure funding for AQNZ to coordinate a two-year implementation programme. Implementation of the Aquaculture Workforce Action Plan and the related RSLG actions are progressing at pace. Working groups with industry and government representation have been formed for the Perceptions and Projections workstreams. Work has begun to gather up-to-date data on the current workforce by workplace, providing regional level information. The first round of data is expected by June 2023.
NRDA successfully partnered with central government and local industry to fund and establish the new ‘Moananui – Blue Economy Cluster’ project. This project aims to accelerate the growth of ocean-related businesses, enhance Nelson Tasman regions competitive advantage overseas, create more jobs to boost the local economy, and focus efforts on low carbon, sustainable initiatives. We have supported them in this mahi.
Next steps
Through regular information sharing across RSLGs we will develop coordinated national advice for training and development of the aquaculture workforce, based on our increased understanding of current and future workforce size and skills required to support industry productivity.
Continue working with NRDA and begin working with Moananui, specifically in understanding and promoting science related roles in the aquaculture and related processing sectors.
Construction
We have supported implementation of the following actions:
- Advocate for developing skills pipelines that support significant capital projects.
- Support and increase trades promotions in schools.
- Investigate opportunities for more allied trades training locally.
Key milestones and activities
We connected with our partners to advocate for our regional construction sector. We are still working to help secure the investment needed to enable collective action. Work to develop a skills pipeline is ongoing.
Along with all eight iwi of Te Tauihu, NRDA, Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, Te Pūkenga and WDC, we supported a regional bid to MSD in July 2022 for a Te Tauihu Job and Skills Hub. The proposal was reshaped in October 2022 to focus on seeking the specific MSD Jobs and Skills Hub product for the Nelson Tasman region. Although the funding proposal was not approved, we were able to collectively investigate and better understand projected labour needs within the construction sector and related industries.
To provide more regional allied trades training, we engaged with Etco (electricity trades training including plumbing and drain laying) to support them finding facilities to run classes for their apprentices, and to champion their plan to establish a permanent regional training centre.
We continue to work with Top of the South Trades Academy supporting Trades in schools, contributing a strategic overview in our engagement with both Waihanga Ara Rau and Hanga Aro Rau WDCs. We continue to promote strategic engagement by partnering with others to bring schools and industry together in a Pathways Leadership Breakfast event (see Rangatahi section).
Next steps
A construction skills pipeline remains a focus. We are currently seeking ways to secure investment to support our desired collective approach.
We will continue to support Etco to deliver electrical, plumbing and drain laying trades training in the region.
To maximise the opportunity of social procurement for government funded capital projects, we will continue to build on relationships with SWEP and Te Puni Kōkiri while partnering Waihanga Ara Rau and Hanga Aro Rau WDCs to strengthen skills pathways in construction.
We will identify, foster, and develop partnerships between industry and schools generated from the June 2023 Pathways Leadership Breakfast.
Forestry and Wood Processing
- To collate and develop information to understand regional need/engage with industry and develop priority workforce actions for inclusion in the RWP 2023.
Key activities
We supported NRDA to develop a regional submission to the national Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan, working closely with Muka Tangata and Hanga Aro Rau.
We met with a range of local businesses and developed a summary of the workforce challenges and opportunities in the forestry and wood processing sectors. We agreed on a set of regional actions to be delivered over the next two years.
In April 2023 we provided regional advice to TEC about vocational education and training for this sector.
Visitor sector
- To collate and develop information to understand regional need, engage with our Visitor Sector employers and develop priority workforce development actions for inclusion as a new sector in the 2023 Regional Workforce Plan.
Key activities
We led the development of a regional submission to the government’s Tourism Industry Transformation Plan, working closely with Ringa Hora WDC.
In our December 2022 Local Insights Report we noted the workforce constraints that were being felt in the region’s tourism and hospitality sectors, with some businesses reducing their service offering due to staff shortages.
In early 2023 we developed a summary of the workforce challenges and opportunities in the Visitor Sector and agreed on a set of regional actions to be delivered over the next two years.
In April 2023 we provided regional advice to TEC about vocational education and training for this sector.
Older workers
- Establish and lead a central and local government subgroup to collaborate in supporting older workers to participate in our region’s economy.
- Explore micro-credentials and other training to support older workers to reskill and upskill.
- Collaborate to develop and deliver projects that support employers to attract and retain older workers, including showcasing successful examples.
Key milestones and activities
We established a subgroup of central and local government, and regional business members to collaborate in supporting older workers to participate in our region’s economy. The terms of reference and a provisional action plan to deliver a two-year programme relating to the RSLG eight regional actions regarding older workers have been developed.
We supported a successful bid for a pilot funded by the Office for Seniors to support senior entrepreneurs. The pilot is now underway in Nelson Tasman. Developed and managed by the Nelson Chamber of Commerce supported by Nelson City Council, with Business Assist and Age Concern, the pilot is called ‘Primetime’. It aims to work with up to 16 individuals, supporting them via a mix of training and mentoring as they establish/start up a business. In addition to supporting older workers in entrepreneurial activity, the project will gather valuable insights to inform workers and employers in ways to attract and retain older workers in the Nelson Tasman workforce.
We worked with the WDC and provided recommendations to TEC to explore and develop micro-credentials for supporting older workers to reskill and upskill.
Next steps
Finalise activities to further deliver all eight regional actions over the next two years, and report on progress to change behaviour and perceptions to maximise the contribution of older workers.
Continue to develop a relationship with MPI and Workbridge as they deliver the Primary Partnership programme, including sharing their successes in job shaping, reskilling, upskilling and retention.
Rangatahi
- Work alongside and support regional youth-based organisations, such as the Nelson Tasman Youth Workers Collective, to collate better data on our rangatahi.
- Ensure increased awareness of training options and career paths for our rangatahi that enable them to stay in or return to our region, including improving the connections between our regional industries and employers and our secondary schools.
Key milestones and activities
We established a working relationship with the Nelson Tasman Youth Workers Collective and supported funding applications to enable them to continue their work in sharing information and building a collective approach to supporting our region’s rangatahi.
We researched opportunities and barriers for rangatahi as they transition from education to vocational training and employment via discussion with the Nelson Tasman Youth Workers Collective and a small online survey.
We are continuing to work with Pathway Navigator partners to support the continuation of the programme in some of our secondary schools. This programme is developed and funded by the regional MoE office, Nelson City Council, and Tasman District Council. It targets 16–18-year-olds who have stopped attending school and supports them and their whanau to develop and implement a plan to transition into vocational education, employment, or other learning.
In April 2023 we provided regional advice to TEC about vocational education and training for rangatahi.
Next steps
Engage with agencies supporting rangatahi to collect better data regarding transition from education to the workforce.
Continue our partnerships with CATE, MoE, the Pathway Navigator Programme, and TEC to provide advice and support in developing effective regional careers information and transition support.
In July 2023 we will be partnering with the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, NRDA, MoE and CATE Nelson to deliver a Pathways Leadership Breakfast. The purpose of the event is to bring industry leaders and school leadership together to identify, discuss and create opportunities to connect local businesses with schools and school students. The event will also provide the opportunity to create follow up actions to enable better connections between industry and schools in our community.
