Significant mahi is underway to research our manufacturing and engineering sectors’ workforce development needs to support their COVID-19 recovery.

In February, we announced a generous pūtea of $630,000 to fund this project from the Tertiary Education Commission’s (TECs) COVID-19 Response Projects Fund.

Since then, our tīma has been working alongside our research partners Deloitte to complete the project scope and methodology, create research hypotheses, undertake detailed desktop research and direct engagement with key stakeholders is now underway.

These stakeholders include trade unions, industry associations, employers, employees and learners, education providers, Māori, iwi and hapū.

Our hypotheses for the research sit across the themes of relationships, retention, digital capability, skills, sustainability, infrastructure, learning and upskilling – all within the context of COVID-19 recovery.

Using an inclusive, mana taurite approach, the hypotheses, methodology and strategy are designed in true partnership while honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Frequent evaluation and review opportunities allow the project’s direction to be adjusted where aspirations of Māori and those traditionally underserved by the system will benefit.

We can’t wait to share the results later this year into what is going on in this workforce, the critical factors, opportunities, capabilities and skills required for our sectors’ post-COVID recovery and how, together, we can put these insights into direct action.

For more information on this project, please contact our Industry Relationship Manager, Mathew Vandy.