Welcome to the first issue of ITP New Zealand's fortnightly email update, Building Skilled Communities. It is a window on the ITP sector's achievements, and a forum for the issues facing the sector.

If you enjoy the update, forward it to a friend using the link at the bottom of the left hand column. We will be giving out three $100 Farmers vouchers to subscribers on 1 Dec and you get an extra chance for every person to whom you forward the update.

ITP New Zealand's Board voted unanimously today to accept Unitec New Zealand's application for membership. The application was submitted last week upon a unanimous vote by Unitec's Council.

Unitec CEO Rick Ede said, "ITP New Zealand's core role is to represent the interests of ITPs and Unitec wants to contribute to that role, in partnership with our peers. All ITPs are building skilled communities and we can do more together." 

During 2008 Unitec has developed closer partnerships with individual ITPs and has participated fully in ITP New Zealand meetings.

ITP New Zealand Board Chairperson James Buwalda said "We are delighted that Unitec has rejoined ITP New Zealand. This means that all ITPs are now members of ITP New Zealand, increasing our strength as the sector voice."

Unitec was a member of ITP New Zealand until the end of 2000. Unitec's membership will start formally on 1 January 2009, but they will participate in our activities in the interim.

The end of the academic year is a time for students to celebrate their achievements and two ITPs have major events planned to do just that. (Links at left under Upcoming events.)

CPIT’s Ignition showcases the creative talents and achievements of its students throughout the year. There are a total of eight schools showing work around Christchurch city under the Ignition banner in 2008. Running from 7- 15 November, there are major events at the Christchurch Convention Centre, several galleries across the city and on CPIT’s Madras St campus. Highlights include Circus under the Stars (pictured), the NZIPP Iris Photographic Exhibition, Flick (featuring short film and television productions), and Finale (the festival’s spectacular closing event).

Otago Polytechnic’s annual student showcase EXCITE offers particpants the chance to experience the creativity, innovation and technical skills developed behind the scenes in the classrooms and at the drawing-board. EXCITE will be running from 13-28 November. Highlights include the School of Hospitality’s edible chocolate and sugar sculptures, the School of Fashion’s Collections ’08 (featuring eighty designers and two hours of entertainment at an edgy industrial venue), and the School of Art’s ‘Site’ exhibition. Another feature this year wll be the student-built Charity House Auction, which last year raised $100,000 for Dunedin’s most needy charities.

The ITP sector's leaders are meeting this week and the new government will be at the top of the agenda, as will the impact of New Zealand's recession.  As public providers, ITPs will support the first, but as regional economic engines, we will work hard to turn around the second! ITPs have a major role to play in building a more resilient economy.

Our peers around the world are facing the same issues in the global credit crunch. At last week's meeting of our sister organisation, the Association of Community College Trustees, in New York,  speakers made the following comments:

• In these difficult times, each and every ACCT member must educate their local, state and national business and political leaders so they understand that our institutions—which are within reach of every community in America—are preparing the 21st Century workers who will recreate the vibrant economy that America so desperately needs.
• (Community colleges) remain the surest way to help people develop the skills and confidence to be active members of thriving communities.
• ([Lawmakers) need to know when they invest in community colleges, they are investing in national recession insurance.

Our leaders are meeting this week and I look forward to reporting back to you on their decisions.

Dave Guerin, Executive Director

Aoraki and Otago Polytechnics are collaborating on the new Otago School of Media, set to open in 2009. The school will initially offer the nine certificate and diploma in media and writing courses currently available through Aoraki Polytechnic’s Dunedin campus, plus two additional courses in media communications and creative writing.

Aoraki’s Chief Executive Wendy Smith said the development of the school would ensure that the courses could continue to be offered in Dunedin at both institutions. The school would also enhance flexible learning options for students, giving them more options to move easily into the higher-level diplomas and degrees available through Otago Polytechnic’s School of Design.

The collaboration is an example of how ITPs are responding positively to the TEC’s constraints on out of region provision.

The Southern Institute of Technology plans to open a multi-million dollar industry training centre for the oil and gas sector.

Named SIT Workforce, the centre will initially provide health and safety courses for a number of industries, but within three to five years will be providing courses to meet the needs of the oil and gas sector.

The centre is expected to cover 10ha and may include a large survival tank or pool, complete with helicopter underwater escape training, and various marine and offshore excavation devices.

Paul Elliott, who has 25 years’ experience in the international oil and gas industry, has been appointed project manager. He says that the volatility of oil prices mean that it is only a matter of time before exploration and production will begin in Southland. SIT Workforce will help to ensure that the region is ready for it.

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology recently hosted a group of leaders from fishing enterprises in the Pacific Islands, organising lectures and visits to Sealord, Wakatu Corporation, mussel and salmon farms, and marine services businesses. The 12 leaders represented fishing operations, processing plants and value-added companies from Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Wallis.

This is the fifth time NMIT has hosted the event. Alec Woods from NMIT's School of Fisheries says the success of these businesses is vital to the economies of the Pacific Islands. He sees NMIT’s role in the event as helping the businesses to increase efficiency and profitability, and ensure that they meet the export standards of markets such as the European Union.

Six Waiariki Institute of Technology students have graduated from the Diploma in Agribusiness Management, which has been tailored to the needs of Maori farm managers and agricultural specialists. Local Maori business groups supported the diploma and Waiariki plans to develop further ties with Maori trusts and incorporations next year, providing important business support structures and mentoring for students.

Designed to fit around the requirements of full-time farmers, the diploma takes into account busy times in the farming year and minimises the need for farmers to travel too far from their properties.The diploma is the first qualification for most of the graduates, and four of them are now managing significant Maori farm incorporations. All six are now looking at completing a degree in Agribusiness Management as part of a Waiariki and Lincoln University partnership.