Business News

The Government is right to make adjustments to our immigration system in response to high numbers causing housing and infrastructure pressures. However, the focus on skilled migrants may add pressure on manufacturers and exporters who are already finding it hard to get skilled staff they need to grow, say the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA). NZMEA Chief Executive Dieter Adam says, “Government has finally acknowledged that the mismatch between net inward migration and infrastructure development – housing first and foremost – particularly in Auckland. “Unfortunately, the changes introduced constitute a significant lift in barriers for skilled migrants, while leaving other migrant categories largely unchanged. “New Zealand businesses, right across all sectors, are increasingly held back from growing by a lack of highly skilled workers. The reasons behind this are complex, including a tertiary education policy that is not meeting our skills needs, and immigration alone cannot be the whole answer, now or in the long term. “In the short term, however, allowing employers to find highly skilled staff abroad that are simply not available domestically, is important for the future economic development of New Zealand. Highly skilled workers means people capable of operating complex, computer controlled machinery in the manufacturing sector, for example. The government claims that the changes it introduced yesterday “will prioritise access for higher-skilled SMC migrants …” – Given the Government’s sketchy track record to date in managing the skilled migrant scheme to match what the economy most urgently needs, it remains to be seen whether that will actually be the case. “We believe our immigration system is leaky at a different point, people coming in on a student visa and then being allowed to seek employment when they have completed their studies, which can be after as little as one year. “New Zealand approved […]

Manufacturing businesses across the country will now able to effectively handle operational issues and coordinate manufacturing operations through the New Zealand Certificates in Manufacturing qualifications launched last month. The new manufacturing suite of qualifications has been designed to provide employees with the knowledge and skills to work safely and effectively in any manufacturing environment. The qualifications were developed in partnership with the manufacturing industry and the industry training organisation Competenz. Members of the manufacturing industry played a leading role in ensuring the new qualifications are fit-for-purpose for all New Zealand businesses. “The qualifications were developed through industry consultation to meet the needs of the employer and their employees,” says Mathew Vandy, Competenz Industry Manager for the manufacturing sector. “The National Certificates in Manufacturing qualifications no longer related to the requirements of the industry. These new qualifications have a suite of options that are very relevant to manufacturing businesses.” Training in the new qualifications allows for a more efficient and streamlined process. “Through the consultation process, we were able to narrow down the scope of the qualifications so it was more focussed, and people would have a better understanding of it,” says Rick Smith, Operations Manager for Patience & Nicholson (NZ) Ltd and member of the industry governance group working with Competenz to design the new qualifications. “There’s an increased focus on health and safety which is crucial for the industry. The new qualifications are more about performance and on-the-job tasks.” Strong industry representation has helped the Competenz team to appreciate the technical skills required. “It gives learners and employers the flexibility to choose graduate outcomes that are relevant to their business,” says Vandy. The learning materials for the new qualifications are currently being adapted for online and will be available in early 2017.    

https://www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz Networked manufacturing, otherwise known as Industry 4.0, is the next revolution in manufacturing, offering higher productivity and more adaptable and intelligent systems. The New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA), in association with Callaghan Innovation, welcome a leading expert in the field, Dr Frank Wagner, to share his insights and observations on Industry 4.0 in Christchurch and Auckland this week. Manufacturers attending will hear how this technology is being used in Germany and Australia, and how New Zealand manufacturers can harness digitisation, say the NZMEA. “Industry 4.0, or networked manufacturing, involves the digitisation of industrial supply chains, using automation and advanced computing and big data to connect all parts of production and supply, allowing real-time analysis and management of systems, with intelligent integration of people, machines and products.” says Dr Frank Wagner, Professor, Queensland University of Technology. NZMEA Chief Executive Dieter Adam says, “Global interest in Industry 4.0 is gaining traction fast, and it is changing how many manufacturers worldwide operate. “It is allowing manufacturers to better understand and optimise their systems and supply chains, adapt to customer needs through increased customisation within production lines and efficiently combine automation with skilled workers. “Networked manufacturing is opening up new business models as well as continuing the trend of combining advanced manufactured products with new service solutions.  It also carries the potential for dramatic productivity increases in short-run manufacturing, which is more and more becoming the home base of New Zealand manufacturing.” “Given that perspective, being leading adopters of this technology and the thinking behind it is really the only way to go for our manufacturers if they want to remain globally competitive. “It is also vital that government is aware and stays ahead of these changes with any policy response to help Kiwi manufacturers adapt, innovate and invest in the R&D […]