Business News

New Master’s degree to test commercial resolve

Victoria University of Wellington is launching a new Master’s degree aimed at placing students at the coalface of product development and commercialisation. The Master of Innovation and Commercialisation will see students work at transforming actual, real-world innovations into commercial realities. The multidisciplinary, practice-based degree is open to students from a range of disciplines, such as design, science, engineering, IT and business. “The primary objective of the degree is to get students to really cut their teeth in the process of developing and commercialising technologically-advanced innovations,” says programme director Jenny Douché. “This includes analysing the feasibility of new innovations, technology-transfer, funding, intellectual property, and manufacturing considerations. “It will require individual resourcefulness, and the need to quickly learn how to work in teams and with industry and research partners.” Most students will work on an innovation project alongside an organisation, but they can also work on their own innovations. According to Mrs Douché, the degree is ideal for students who want to work as product managers, commercialisation specialists, analysts, or start their own business. “Students will come away with invaluable knowledge from having experienced genuine ‘knocks and scrapes’ from the commercial world.” Mrs Douché says many commentators now recommend education that allows for versatility and resourcefulness due to an increasingly sophisticated and uncertain job market, and that the new Master’s programme caters to this. “We want students on the programme to develop a robust intellectual toolkit for problem-solving, and a grounding in product development and commercialisation, so they can identify opportunities, get a sense for where things are heading and respond accordingly. “It’s not a programme for the faint-hearted, but the learning and networking opportunities will be great,” says Mrs Douché.

Secondary schools should do the right thing by students, says ITF

The Industry Training Federation is dismayed by advice from the PPTA’s Secondary Principals’ Council that schools consider limiting enrolments in Trades Academies to protect staffing grants. “Trades Academies are proving to be the motivating reason some young people stay in education and achieve qualifications,” says ITF Chief Executive Josh Williams. Trades Academy students remain enrolled in school, but spend part of their time gaining technical and employability skills through tertiary education providers and workplaces. Ministry of Education reports show that Trades Academies are having a positive impact on students’ staying in education and achieving qualifications. An adjustment to the funding calculation for Trades Academies has removed an element of double funding between the secondary and tertiary components of these programmes. “We appreciate that the funding picture for schools is complex, but this change should not be used as an excuse to disengage from collaborative programmes where resources are shared between schools and tertiary education organisations,” says Josh. “Our young people have a wide range of interests, aspirations, and learning needs. Secondary schools have a critical role to help students find their pathways to success, including those who would benefit from a blended programme of academic and technical learning. “A learner-centred system provides young people with choices about how and where they can learn, and delivers the skills students will need to succeed in their next steps. “The Secondary Principal Council’s advice is self-serving, and not in the best interests of students. Principals are right to not feel good about it” Josh says. The ITF is the collective voice for the industry training and apprenticeships sector in New Zealand

Editorial August Issue: Clean and green with natural energy

Our Lead Story this issue is ‘The engineering of solar flight’, in itself a mystery a mere few years ago and now seemingly a positive step forward for positive use of sunbeams! However, it is not going to answer the issue of flying in very large planes. Solar Impulse is a one-off example of energy efficiency for a crew of two people. Amongst all the technologies we use today none can be sweeter than a natural technology…which really isn’t a technology at all. Governments around the world – including New Zealand – are still coming to grips with the best use of our natural resources. The best way of diminishing coal as an essential product and providing a cleaner and better environment for humankind. Should we all have solar panels on or houses? Can we afford to continue to pay exorbitant power accounts…which, after all, come from using a natural source of energy? We also face the issues of fracking and the cause and effect it has on our environment and the consequences of this method of energy extraction on the earth on which we live. USA has reduced its need to import oil from the Middle East; primarily because of fracking. Under Obama, America has become more self-sufficient. Their internal energy levels from fracking is causing consternation as to its effect on the environment and the quality of life. This form of energy extraction takes place in other countries and realises everyone’s dream of a doomed planet. Also in this issue, we are delighted to welcome Dieter Adam, chief executive, New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association to our Advisory Panel. Dieter, with his clear thinking and analysis, is already making a difference in the business community. And you can read about Emerald Foods, an East Tamaki country, who exports […]

Infrastructure Investment Critical says EMA

Today’s announcement of a co-ordinated investment plan in infrastructure by Government has been welcomed by the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). However, it urges the Government to get on with its commitment to invest in vital projects, sooner rather than later. “It’s heartening to see central and local government in conjunction with industry working together on this. This is a significant step forward,” says Kim Campbell, CEO, EMA. “The plan is aspirational, but it lacks a hard edge on regulatory reform, funding streams and timeframes. “There are some big projects that need to get traction today. Our members, who are business owners, are deeply frustrated with the lack of progress on critical infrastructure development in both Auckland and their regions. “Given most of the population growth for the next 30 years is expected to be north of Taupo, infrastructure is extremely important for our members.” The Thirty Year New Zealand Infrastructure Plan 2015 was released by the Government at the New Zealand Council of Infrastructure Development conference being held in Christchurch. Mr Campbell says now is the time to unlock the potential of economic development through this investment in infrastructure. He cites projects such as the East-West link in Auckland which need urgent attention. Likewise, a co-ordinated approach to assist regional development such as a centralised strategy for ports, rail, road and water to help fast growing areas such as Tauranga. “We need this investment to position ourselves globally. So to, can we look internationally for funding as well – the world is awash with capital and I strongly believe we should harness this for the betterment of New Zealand.”

Positive frame of mind

New Zealand’s manufacturing sector continued to show expansion for July, according to the latest BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI). The seasonally adjusted PMI for July was 53.5 (a PMI reading above 50.0 indicates that manufacturing is generally expanding; below 50.0 that it is declining). Although this was 1.6 points lower than June, it was still the second highest result for the last four months. The sector has now been in expansion for 34 consecutive months. BusinessNZ’s executive director for manufacturing Catherine Beard said that despite the slower rate of expansion in July, the proportion of positive comments from manufacturers moved up from June. “The proportion of positive comments rose from 53.6% in June to 60.8% in July. The recent fall in the value of the New Zealand dollar came through in many positive comments, while the lower dairy payout continued to trickle through for those who listed a negative influence”. “Although activity in the sector has not been as strong as recent years, the fact that official figures show employment growth primarily coming from the manufacturing sector, as well as ongoing expansion in the PMI, means that the sector continues to hold its own”. BNZ Senior Economist Doug Steel said it was good to see the PMI maintaining a solid pace through 2015. “This is supportive of economic growth ahead, although likely at a slower pace than previously achieved as the likes of the obviously intense headwind from the dairy sector filters through.”

Young brains provide fresh business ideas

Businesses and organisations on the lookout for an injection of innovative ideas this summer have the opportunity to get some creative thinking done using brainpower from Victoria University. Victoria is on the lookout for companies, government agencies and professional groups which want to tackle projects they don’t have resources to complete themselves, while also providing summer holiday work for some of the University’s top performing students. In the eight years since it began, the University’s Summer Research Scholarships programme has given thousands of students rewarding and stimulating experience in a real-life business environment and encouraged many of them to embark on postgraduate study to further build their skill set. The programme is open to students who have completed two years of their undergraduate degree, as well as anyone studying at honours or first year masters level at any New Zealand or Australian university (although they are required to be enrolled at Victoria for study in 2016 prior to beginning their scholarship). Those who receive a summer scholarships will spend around 10 weeks carrying out a research project, and Professor Kate McGrath, Vice-Provost (Research) at Victoria, says it’s a fantastic opportunity for the students to really get stuck in. “These are senior students who are high achievers—they can bring lots of energy and some really ingenious perspectives. “It’s absolutely a win-win experience—organisations can gain a competitive edge by making the most of the student’s research skills, while students get a taste of what it’s like to do meaningful research. That experience often prompts them to enrol for further study, such as a Masters or PhD.” An additional benefit, says Professor McGrath, is that the programme establishes research relationships between Victoria University and external partners that can grow into long term collaborative research partnerships. This year Victoria is offering 300 summer scholarships, […]

New data shows Industry Trainees and Apprentices going strong

The Industry Training Federation welcomes new performance data showing industry trainees and apprentices gaining credits and completing programmes at higher rates in 2014. Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) education performance data shows: • 74 percent of industry trainees and apprentices completed their programmes in 2014, up seven percentage points from 2013, when 67 percent completed. • Credit completion has improved by five percentage points, from 71 to 76 percent. New Zealand’s 11 Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) are delivering industry-backed skills and qualifications across New Zealand’s major industries. “The trend of marked improvement in the industry training sector has wide reaching benefits for individual trainees and apprentices; their employers and industries; and our entire economy” says ITF Chief Executive Josh Williams. “ITOs are helping businesses large and small to manage their supply of skills, and improve productivity” Josh says.

Sales bounce back but still in the red, confidence improves

The latest New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA) Survey of Business Conditions completed during July 2015, shows total sales in June 2015 decreased 6.42% (year on year export sales decreased by 11.49% with domestic sales decreasing 1.35%) on June 2014. The NZMEA survey sample this month covered NZ$438m in annualised sales, with an export content of 47%. Net confidence rose to 6, up from -13 in May. The current performance index (a combination of profitability and cash flow) is at 102.3, up from 96.3 last month, the change index (capacity utilisation, staff levels, orders and inventories) was at 96, down from 100 in the last survey, and the forecast index (investment, sales, profitability and staff) is at 103.33, up on the last result of 102.5. Anything over 100 indicates expansion. Constraints reported were 78% markets, 11% production capacity, 5.5% skilled staff and 5.5% capital. Net 17% of firms reported a modest rise in productivity in June. Staff numbers for June increased 4.01% year on year. Tradespersons, supervisors, managers, professional/scientists and operators/labourers all reported a moderate shortage. “Sales in June remained in the negative year on year, although less negative than May’s result. Domestic turnover improved significantly on last month, but remained slightly negative, while export turnover worsened somewhat on May.” says NZMEA Chief Executive Dieter Adam. “This month sentiment was generally up, with net confidence improving back into the positive and two out of three index measures improved, with the performance index moving back into expansion. Interestingly, capital was reported as a constraint for the first time since February and the market constraint fell back on last month, potentially reflecting the recent falls in our currency, but remained significantly higher than the other constraints. “Staff numbers for June also improved, at the highest rate since March. This weeks Household […]

Dairy sector needs to work together to manage downturn

National accounting and business advisory firm Crowe Horwath is calling on all stakeholders in the dairy industry to work together to help the sector get through the current difficult period of lower milk solid prices. On the back of dairy companies announcing a string of forecast milk price downgrades and prices continuing to plunge at the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions, predictions are the current hard times for the dairy sector could potentially last another 18 months to two years. Crowe Horwath says given the scale of the challenge now being faced by the industry, doing nothing is not an option for anyone involved, including farmers, banks, farm consultants and business advisors. To back its call, the company is encouraging a collaborative national response across New Zealand agribusiness to address the challenges and ensure farmers receive the best advice and support to get through. Crowe Horwath Head of Agribusiness Neil McAra says the payout has dropped further and looks to be staying lower for longer than anyone expected and this means action is required. Crowe Horwath has met with key players in the industry including the banking sector, farm advisors and rural support networks to help prepare a Best Practice Action Plan for its advisors to work through with their dairy clients. “In the first instance as business advisors we need to manage financial stress, which means knowing what the banks need from our clients and ensuring we help them in providing this, McAra says. “Secondly, it’s about working with the other industry players to facilitate a comprehensive support network being wrapped around the farmer. Our action plan provides guidance along these lines for our advisors. McAra says a collaborative approach is vital with several key players needing to be involved. “Farmers and rural professionals need to understand each other’s […]

Become a Market Leader – Part One

Katalin Csikasz, TechPro Plus www.techproplus.co.nz Is your company working on becoming an industry market leader or would you like to have a competitive edge with the product you supply? TechPro Plus, an Auckland based company could potentially help you with this. Specialising in engineering solutions from product design to manufacturing; we are experts at finding innovative and unique solutions to industry challenges which can increase your chances of becoming a market leader in your industry. TechPro Plus has been involved in many projects of this nature over the years with two specific projects being of particular significance. The first project involved providing the industry with a reliable in-ground corrosion control solution; with the second using innovative, outside the box design features resulting in a reduction in the installation cost and complexity of telecommunication columns. In the first project the solution was specified by local and government authorities as a preferred solution, giving the manufacturing company a competitive edge. With the second project, the, innovative design solutions were accepted as the standard industry design and were subsequently used by all telecommunication companies in their major rollouts. This created an industrial design market leader position for the manufacturer and as a bonus provided significant project savings and faster installation for the telecommunication industry. You can read about the second project in more detail in the next edition. Reliable in ground corrosion solution: In-ground corrosion is a major industry issue in New Zealand due to our soil, which is either volcanic or has corrosive volcanic traces. This can make in-ground asset protection extremely tricky from a durability point of view as the corrosion could compromise the structural integrity of the item. With no field proven practice available for this application in New Zealand, an industry need for an engineering solution to solve this […]

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