June 2020

Word from the President

What an unusual time we have all had over the past two months.  And what a relief to get down to Alert Level 2 and a little more normality.

I am hoping that you have endured the lockdown down period without too much pain.

Now that we are coming out the other side, if you have got any stressful difficulties, I suggest that you get in touch with other members.

Or even contact the Association to see if there is anything that we can do to help – whether that be some form of mentoring or assistance.

Because that is the point of being a CANZ member, we help one another where and when we can.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

June 2020

Not giving up on your MATES

New Zealand is undergoing a bit of a cultural shift regarding mental health.

While it is still a massively complex problem, with far too many people still taking their own lives, the rhetoric is beginning to soften away from the Kiwi-ism that is “Harden up, mate”.

However, some workplaces – especially in those stereotypically rugged or ‘in-the-trenches’ industries – haven’t been quick to evolve their cultures to a more empathetic place.

Which is why Director of Emendas, Emma Jeffery, engages with MATES in Construction.

She deals with clients predominantly in construction and manufacturing industries, and sees first-hand some of those industries’ prevalent challenges.

“They’re working long hours.  The job is quite physically demanding and out in the elements.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

June 2020

Top 10 tips: Controlling the controllable

It will be a long road to recovery in the post-COVID world but the Crane Association of New Zealand’s Past President, Scott McLeod, has 10 tips that should make life slightly easier in this month’s Technical Corner.

Taking a page out of the Crane Industry Council of Australia Chief Executive Officer Brandon Hitch’s book – being able to control the controllable adds a much-needed calmness during a crisis.

So, here are top ten COVID-19 business and technical tips:

1.Get on the same page

The first tip is to ensure you’re always up to date with the Government’s COVID-19 website.

The Government’s ongoing advice is crucially important right now.  And it’s in our interest, as business owners and employers, to implement government strategies within our everyday business approach.  That will mean our businesses are just as strong and consistent moving forward.

That will be especially important as our country moves from Alert Level 2 to 1, and the need for ongoing contact tracing to ensure the population’s health and safety.

So, we want to make sure we help New Zealand become world-leading in contact tracing.

​CLICK HERE to read the full article.

June 2020

Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) update

On Thursday 14 May 2020, the Minister of Education, Hon Chris Hipkins, announced the formation of all six Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) would be fast-tracked for establishment by a target date of October 2020, ahead of the original target of mid-2021, to help support New Zealand’s COVID-19 recovery.

COVID-19 has resulted in unprecedented impacts on New Zealand industry, employers, learners and communities.

As a result, there is an urgent need for a strong, unified, sustainable vocational education and training system to help lessen the social and economic impacts of COVID-19.

WDCs are at the heart of this system and their early influence will be critical in making sure that investment is well targeted and supports business growth alongside great careers.

CLICK HERE to read the full article