Economic Development Agency news

Workforce Development Strategy update

Not in the workforce and want to be? The EDA would like to hear from you - 2 December 2006

Economic Strategy to be reviewed

Economic Development Agency Issues Annual Report Outlining Second Year of Growth

Latest Economic Development Agency newsletter October 2006 (PDF @ 396K)

Workforce Development Strategy update

Nelson needs training opportunities if our workforce is to be effectively prepared for the job demands of the future. However, research has shown that access to training is a key issue for employers and anyone seeking to upskill. The Economic Development Agency’s (EDA) Training Database on the Work in Nelson page, eda.co.nz/vacancies lists training available in the region and helps employers explore options. Training providers are encouraged to contact the EDA to ensure their courses are included on the database. It’s free to list training programmes and it’ll be promoted widely to businesses and industry so it’s an excellent marketing opportunity for providers.

Training needs?

The EDA, in conjunction with other stakeholders such as NMIT, Department of Labour, Ministry of Social Development, training providers and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), wants to hear from industry about future training needs. This can be about the types of training expected to ensure industries meet their full potential, and feedback on how training might be best delivered. This information will inform the 2008 Top of the South Tertiary Education Regional Statement used by the TEC in their investment decisions. Feedback on training needs and issues is welcome. Please contact Pip at the EDA, phone 545 6858 or email pip@eda.co.nz.

Regional Employer Series

Immigration New Zealand and the EDA are hosting a forum for employers to gain knowledge and the tools for successful recruitment and retention of skilled migrants. The forum is being held on Thursday 15 May. Contact the EDA if you wish to register.

Migrant skills

Look in the ‘Situations Vacant’ section in the paper and you see the region has work available, but also has a shortage of experienced, qualified and skilled labour. With increasing ethnic diversity in our community, it’s vital employers are aware of and recognize the valuable skills migrants bring to the workforce. An online database of skills is being developed to help migrants promote their specific competencies to potential employers, and to help employers fill the skills gap in their workplace. The site will also assists migrants with their CVs and becoming job ready.

Employment profiles

We are still seeing many young people moving away to main centres, as shown in last year’s census. While some leave for careers or training elsewhere, they may be encouraged to stay if local employers offer work experience or modern apprenticeships, and if the opportunities in Nelson are well promoted. Employment profiles are an important tool to help do this. They give accurate local information on employment prospects in the region, in a straightforward and logical way and the people featured are all positive workplace role models. They talk about the job they are in, how they got there, the challenges they faced and how others can find the same sort of work. Check out other useful sites for employment and training and new employment profiles at eda.co.nz/vacancies.

Not in the workforce and want to be?

We would like to hear from you…

Finding it difficult to find a job?

• Is it because employers don’t recognize overseas qualifications of our new migrants?
• Is it because people over 55 years of age are perceived to be hard to train in a new environment?
• Or possible employers perceive that there are too many costs if they were to employ someone with a disability.

The EDA's Work Force Development Strategy has been looking at why some important sectors of our labour force are finding it difficult to find appropriate and meaningful employment.

You are invited to send us an email outlining a bit about yourself and what employment opportunities you are seeking, what experiences you have had trying to find that employment and what support you think would better enable you to obtain and stay in your ideal job.

Your responses will be kept confidential and you do not need to identify yourself. However if you do provide your contact details we may want to contact you to talk with you or invite you to a focus group.

Recently the EDA invited Pamela Hulston, Manager, Qualification Recognition Services, NZQA to meet with new migrants to hear about their experiences having qualifications recognised. Pamela also met with a group of employers to explain the qualification recognition process.

Information on work being carried out through the Work Force Development Strategy can be found on the EDA website, and we will be telling readers about other activities in future editions of Live Nelson. You may email us or post your response to the Nelson Regional EDA, PO Box 370, Nelson. We look forward to hearing from you.

Economic Strategy to be reviewed

The Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency (EDA) is going to review and update the Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS). The initial strategy released in February 2003 outlined the key regional industries and economic strengths and made recommendations for the region’s economic growth.

The review is necessary due to the quite significant changes to the local economy since 2003. While many of the region’s industries and services have experienced boom times, others have had difficulties. For example, the pipfruit, seafood and forestry sectors in the past two years have all been seriously challenged by a strong Kiwi dollar, changes in the market and the rising costs of transport for exporters.

Employment in the region has also experienced a bonanza with a significant increase in both full time and part time employment. The retail sector has benefited from the increased spending power within the region.

The EDA believes it’s time to re-evaluate the strategies that should be driving the region in the coming decade and to undertake a wide ranging review of improvements and future requirements for infrastructure, transport access, education and health provision, community services and recreation, arts and culture facilities within the region.

After an extensive selection process the EDA has appointed John Cook, a regional development economist, to coordinate the regional strategy review. The EDA’s Projects Manager, Pip Jamieson, will direct the review.

John Cook has extensive experience within New Zealand and internationally in preparing and implementing regional development strategies and as a resident has an intimate knowledge of the Nelson Tasman region.

EDA making progress

Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency (EDA) has issued its annual report for 2005-06 and it outlines a second year of growth.

Download the EDA Annual Report for 2005-2006 (PDF @ 700K)

Well established and credible

Bill Findlater, EDA Chief Executive officer says “We’ve continued to build on and expand positive relationships with key industries, sectors, agencies and stakeholders. It’s fair to say the EDA is now well established on both the local and national business scene as a credible agency. Our views are sought and reported on a wide range of issues of importance.”

Standout projects

Some of the stand out EDA projects for the year include the Workforce Development Strategy, which has now been launched and will be implemented over the next two years with funding assistance from the Ministry of Social Development. This project is to ensure industries in the region will have a suitably skilled workforce available to meet future needs. This strategy is recognised as a benchmark for other regions.

The initial task of the Nelson Marlborough inforegion (NMi) project has been completed and the EDA has recently received advice that their joint application to the Ministry of Economic Development to expand the broadband network in the Top of the South is one of only five applications to be approved.

Regional Economic Development Strategy

EDA also had success with their application for funding to review and update the Regional Economic Development Strategy. This will be the most important project for the 2006 – 2007 year, involving key regional sector groups in determining the region’s future success factors.

The increased workload from these projects has necessitated the employment of an additional staff member.

Nelson City Council continues to support the EDA’s efforts in helping our region to grow.