Connection. Produced by Wellington Institute of Technology March 2015

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1 Connection Produced by Wellington Institute of Technology March 2015 WelTec is pleased to bring you the March issue of our Connection magazine, linking industry and our stakeholders with the latest WelTec news and achievements. In this issue: > New Chief Executive for WelTec and Whitireia > Wellington Filmmakers Collaborate on Creative Degrees > Maori and Pasifika Trades Training > Inaugural Meeting of Atiawanuitonu > NZQA European Group Delegation Visit > Wellington School of Engineering Opening > 2015 Hutt City Council Scholarship Recipients > Wellington Regional School of Construction opening > Plan to make Wellington destination of choice for international students > Rugby League stars visit Petone > Wellington Trades Academy New Manager, New Focus > Creative Technology students add artistic flair to Hutt Arcade > WelTec hosts Suqian College > High Flyer s Career takes off Chris Gosling, new Chief Executive for WelTec and Whitireia A new Chief Executive has been appointed for the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) and Whitireia New Zealand. The Chair of the Combined Council of WelTec and Whitireia Hon Roger Sowry, last month announced the appointment of Mr Chris Gosling to the position of Chief Executive of both polytechnics. The appointment of a single Chief Executive for both of these highly successful institutions marks an important new step in the strategic partnership between Whitireia and WelTec. The partnership was established in 2012 to improve student choices in the Wellington region, by providing a more co-ordinated provision of high quality vocational education and training, improved engagement with industry and improved organisational efficiency. A single Chief Executive will strengthen these initiatives, enhancing the collaboration between the two organisations while retaining the distinctive culture of each institution, says Roger Sowry. Chris Gosling will be welcomed to WelTec on Monday 4 May with an official Powhiri. Wellington Filmmakers Collaborate on Creative Degrees Well known New Zealand Film Director and Producer Alex Galvin (Director of Eternity and When Night Falls) and Director Theo Baynton (WotWots, Thunderbirds, Art Director of Jane and the Dragon) are getting behind a local degree, the Bachelor of Creative Technologies delivered by the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec), allowing students to not only work on the animation and design elements of their current projects, but to also try their hand at illustration, model making, set design and creating the digital and visual elements of two new films. This collaboration with the creative industry is a dream come true, says Teriu Lemon, Head of Creative Technologies at WelTec. It s amazing that Alex and Theo who are such highly regarded industry professionals with international reputations are prepared to spend time with our young Film Director Alex Galvin > continues next page

2 talented students mentoring them and teaching them the skills that are in hot demand by the creative sector. Gareth McGhie, WelTec tutor on the degree, who came directly from Weta Workshop will also be part of the team providing this amazing educational experience to students. The Bachelor of Creative Technologies is an ideal platform for young designers to launch their careers. With these industry projects embedded in our academic delivery students will have a foot in the door to industry before they even complete their Degree, says Teriu Lemon. The creative sector tells us they want graduates who are technically competent, who can work in teams, and who have experience and skills from a wide range of disciplines in other words industry wants skilled graduates who can work in all aspects of film and television production. The projects with Alex and Theo, alongside our teaching programme mean students will gain all of the elements employers are wanting. With this Degree delivered via industry within an academic programme graduates will be able to work in New Zealand and overseas, says Teriu Lemon. Championing emerging artists, designers and creators is what drove me to get involved with the Bachelor of Creative Technologies through WelTec, says Alex Galvin. This year, students on the Degree will be involved in all aspects of my new horror movie, from working with top industry professionals to gaining experience with the latest film and digital technology. I m really excited to have the opportunity to work alongside these young talented students, says Alex Galvin. Fostering students to deliver the talent the creative sector needs for future film and TV projects is also a fantastic opportunity for me, says Theo Baynton. I m sure I ll learn a lot from the students as well. My project involves producing and designing for a Sci-Fi movie. Students will be learning about film making but will also learn about the art of creating promotional material including poster design and photography. We are also very privileged to have Neville Parker from InsideDesign and Michael Melville from CGM+Foster who are allowing students to work on industry-driven projects as part of the Bachelor of Creative Technologies Degree. This collaboration with industry means 2015 will be a fantastic year for our students and staff, says Teriu Lemon. Maori and Pasifika Trades Training The final 2014 report on the Maori and Pasifika Trades Training initiative has been submitted to MBIE and TEC. Course completions were 81% and qualification completions were 70%. Some students are yet to complete their programme of study having started later in % of successful students are employed or undertaking further study against a target of 80%. 22 students are studying under a level 4 carpentry cadetship and others have been referred to the relevant ITO for a NZ Apprenticeship. Waiwhetu Marae Inaugural Meeting of Atiawanuitonu The first meeting of the Atiawanuitonu (encompassing Te Ati Awa and the other tribes of Taranaki) advisory committee to Council was held on Wednesday at Waiwhetu Marae. Holden Hohaia, Kura Moeahu, Wirangi Luke, Hinemoa Priest joined Roger Sowry, Antony Royal, Vaughan Renner along with Linda Sissons, Chris Gosling and Caryn Ellis for the first Hui of this important advisory group to Council. The Komiti endorsed the terms of reference which are: To provide Te Āti Awa advice and views and dialogue with the Council of WelTec. The Advisory Group is envisaged as a group which engages strategically with Council on matters related to iwi aspirations and plans and the directions the polytechnic should seek as a result. It will guide and provide a governance context for the memoranda which exist between WelTec and Te Runanganui o Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika a Maui Inc (Te Āti Awa) and Te Marae o Waiwhetu, which have guided operational partnership and confidence over many years. The Komiti will meet four times per year. The hui was followed by a Powhiri for Council and members of EMT on Waiwhetu Marae. The Council then formally met in the Association clubrooms across the road from the marae overlooking the Whanau Ora building constructed by WelTec Maori Trades Training students.

3 NZQA European Qualification Framework Expert Working Group Delegation Visit A delegation of three officials from the European Union and two from the Australian Federal government met with WelTec staff on 26 February at the Hospitality Campus in Cuba St to discuss quality assurance systems for the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The visit, organised at the request of NZQA, provided delegates with the opportunity to understand how the National Qualifications Framework is applied in the sector, and how well it meets the needs of students and employers. Staff from Academic Services and the Faculty Academic Unit described the rigorous process used to develop programmes that comply with the National Qualifications Framework, as well as the relationship between graduate profiles, the programme of study, and employment ready graduates. Drawing on employer satisfaction surveys, WelTec was able to demonstrate the very close correlation between what employers need and what WelTec graduates bring to the workforce. One delegate remarked that he had analysed similar data from many jurisdictions internationally but had never seen such a close match as the data presented by WelTec. Almost 94% of employers of graduates say WelTec graduates are able to acquire new skills readily. 88% of employers are satisfied with the knowledge and skills of WelTec graduates with a similar level saying WelTec graduates have the skills employers require. WelTec Employer Satisfaction Survey March 2015 WelTec is maintaining links with members of the delegation to explore further opportunities for co-operation as part of our internationalisation strategy. Wellington School of Engineering Opening Hon Steven Joyce Sir Neville Jordan, Chancellor VUW Jade Winter, Plumbing and Gasfitting Apprentice, Manawatu Plumbing and Maintenance (employer) studying at WelTec on an ITO funded course. Scores of engineering employers, from New Zealand s biggest companies such as Beca and Fletchers to iconic Wellington leaders like Fraser Engineering, converged on Petone last month to celebrate the official opening, by Tertiary Education and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, of WelTec s refurbished Engineering campus. Business leaders were saluted for their strong financial and moral support for the Institute which teaches mechanical, civil and electrical engineering certificates, degrees and graduate programmes to over 1000 students and more than 50 International students. The employer community has provided equipment, materials, expert advice, and around $50,000 in fees scholarships to help with the recruitment of students to meet the Government s goal of an extra 500 graduates a year by Hutt City Council has also pledged thousands of dollars of scholarship incentive, targeting in particular women, Maori and Pasifika as groups in the community who have not traditionally seen engineering as a subject they are attracted to. Mayor Ray Wallace congratulated scholarship winners, commenting that the 150 engineering companies in Hutt City were part of the thriving technology sector which contributes significantly to the region s economy. Roger Sowry, WelTec and Whitireia Council Chair acknowledged the region s employers and the community for exerting a strong pull to get more young New Zealanders involved in the fast-growing engineering profession.

4 2015 Hutt City Council Scholarship Recipients Nine WelTec Engineering students have been awarded a combined $25,000 in scholarship money from Hutt City Council. Other local and national companies added to that with their own scholarship money. The recipients, who will study towards diplomas or degrees in Engineering at WelTec this year, were recognised for their outstanding academic potential and leadership capabilities at a ceremony marking the re-opening of the refurbished Wellington School of Engineering in Petone. Mayor Ray Wallace presented the scholarships, which are as follows: Hutt City Council and Fraser Engineering Scholarship > Caleb Badcock awarded $2500 by Hutt City Council towards a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering with a corresponding scholarship from Fraser Engineering > Toby Joll awarded $2500 by Hutt City Council towards a Bachelor of Engineering Technology with a corresponding scholarship from Fraser Engineering Hutt City Council Women in Engineering Scholarship > Kelsey Linton awarded $2500 by Hutt City Council towards a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering > Awhina Owen awarded $2500 by Hutt City Council towards a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Hutt City Council Maori & Pasifika Engineering Scholarship > Nikau Fiso awarded $5000 by Hutt City Council towards a Bachelor of Engineering Technology Hutt City Council and KiwiRail Scholarship > Connor Kilmartin awarded $2500 by Hutt City Council towards a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering with a corresponding scholarship from KiwiRail > Joshua Harris awarded $2500 by Hutt City Council towards a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering with a corresponding scholarship from KiwiRail > Tamati Thorpe-Parker awarded $2500 by Hutt City Council towards a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering with a corresponding scholarship from KiwiRail > Alexandra Foote awarded $2500 by Hutt City Council towards a Bachelor of Engineering Technology with a corresponding scholarship from KiwiRail Mayor Ray Wallace says, We have 150 engineering companies in Hutt City, part of a thriving technology sector that makes a significant contribution to the economy. Hutt City Council views investment in young people who wish to study engineering at an advanced level as critical to making sure our innovation-led companies can continue to grow. It is also fantastic to be providing opportunities for our young people to have highly successful careers here in their hometown. We appreciate the shared contribution to these scholarships by the Hutt Valley based Fraser Engineering and KiwiRail. Hutt City Council works closely with WelTec and the employers to award the scholarships, which was an initiative that began in Ray Wallace, Joshua Harris, Hon Steven Joyce Ray Wallace, Kelsey Linton, Hon Steven Joyce L-R: Ray Wallace, Caleb Badcock, Hon Steven Joyce, Raewyn Fraser, Martin Simpson Wellington Regional School of Construction opening A major new Regional School of Construction was opened by the Honourable Bill English, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for Housing. The new $11M campus located on a prominent site at the gateway to the Hutt Valley in Petone will see more than 220 students learning on site at any one time in a modern learning environment. At the opening Bill English congratulated WelTec on the investment and commented that we are seeing more training opportunities for young people which are better matched to the needs of a growing infrastructure industry in Wellington. Hon Bill English The opening of the campus marks the end of the first phase in the establishment of the Regional School of Construction, a Wellington-wide network of tertiary education provision which will see two main hubs centred in Petone and Porirua with preparatory programmes available across the Wellington region. > continues next page

5 The School is purpose built to suit today and tomorrow s learning needs. The campus environment provides students with an invaluable opportunity to be involved in all parts of the construction process with multi-purpose open plan workshops and spaces with student break-out areas. Programmes to be delivered on site include carpentry, painting and decorating, masonry, tiling, plastering and landscape construction. The opening of the Petone campus demonstrates our commitment to training to meet the demand for skilled people in the construction sector who will contribute to the growth of the Wellington economy. Our graduates are a significant part of the solution to the skills shortage facing the construction sector across the country. With this new campus we will be able to train more people who will enter the workforce as employees ready to make a contribution on day one. We are very pleased that the first stage of the Regional School of Construction has been completed and the Petone campus is opening today, Roger Sowry Chair of WelTec and Whitireia. L-R: Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy, Nicola Meek and Richard Wanhill (WelTec) The new Wellington Regional School of Construction means we can better support industry with well-prepared graduates. Students will be working in teams across the campus learning inter-disciplinary skills required for any work site. We are very excited that we will be training the talent of tomorrow from entry level through to management from this great new site. Skilled people across the trades and engineering occupations are in high demand. The growth in residential and commercial builds, combined with the major infrastructure projects underway and on the horizon for the Wellington region such as the Wellington Northern Corridor, means the demand for a readily available skilled construction workforce has never been higher, Linda Sissons WelTec s Chief Executive. The campus designed by Designgroup Stapleton Elliot (DGSE) and built by Maycroft Construction Ltd (MCL) incorporates the latest in design features and building practice. DGSE has utilised the significant scale of the building and its prominent location to design a Gateway Structure at the entrance to the Hutt Valley. The building features elevated copper coloured steel clad boxes supported on a concrete clad base building. The boxes make reference to containers used by students in an interesting and visually striking way. MCL used tilt-up pre-cast concrete wall panels, constructed on the polystyrene ribraft floor slab, structural steel frame and an Ultratherm Extreme warm roof to provide an economic and efficient construction methodology. This prestigious new campus provides the best possible learning environment for students wanting to train for the construction sector, says WelTec s Head of Construction Neil McDonald. The BCITO congratulates WelTec / Whitireia on the opening of this fantastic new asset in the training of construction industry recruits. The construction industry offers numerous career opportunities for those people who focus on building their skills and knowledge, the BCITO alone manages over 45 qualifications in different trades within the industry. This Wellington Regional School of Construction will provide a great launching pad for many careers in a dynamic industry and the BCITO is looking forward to working closely with the school. GLENN DUNCAN - Group Manager Apprentice Training BCITO WelTec Students with Hon Bill English and Arnold Lomax (WelTec) > continues next page

6 What a great building to train our young people for the future in the building industry. When I walked in there it took me back to my time as an apprentice. The building is very similar to the one I was trained in, but without the new modern constructed building, with air conditioning and of course Wi-Fi connection. I like the idea of combining all the trades in one building. It s a great way to show other trades a general understanding of what others do in the construction industry. Plus the support that each trade can give each other or even students changing their mind and swapping trades. It s also good to see the practical side of building going alongside the theory, I generally think this is the only way to train young minds, so they can relate what s on paper to the real thing. It s a real asset to Wellington and will really help develop the trades skills needed for the future. Mike Craig, Certified Builders Association of New Zealand L-R: Dave McLaughlin, painting student Samantha Williams, Curtis Scott, Richard Davies from the School of Construction. Plan to Make Wellington Destination of choice for International Students Launched So far this year almost 500 (340 EFTS) international students have chosen to study in Wellington with WelTec. We believe Wellington is a fantastic place to live and learn and we want to do more to encourage international students to study here. That s the rationale behind The Wellington International Strategy. WelTec has joined forces with Whitireia, Victoria and Massey Universities, secondary schools and others who have all committed to having at least 15% of their rolls made up of international students within the next 5 years. For WelTec that will mean a jump of almost 40 EFTS based on last year s results which is very achievable, says Linda Sissons. We have some great campuses across Wellington including the Hospitality Centre of Excellence in downtown Wellington which houses Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand and WelTec s School of Hospitality. The brand new Wellington Regional School of Construction in Petone which is 8 minutes from the CBD by train is a fantastic facility. Our refurbished School of Engineering has just received a $3M upgrade. Plus we have apartments in upper Willis Street which opened little over a year ago so we really have the complete package here in Wellington for international students, says Linda Sissons. The High Growth Strategy commits Schools, Universities, Polytechnics and Private Education Providers to work together to recruit international students from a selected range of countries to make sure there is a good mix of cultures. It also commits providers to work together to support students and teachers to ensure they have a very positive learning and living experience in the Wellington Region. Education not to be forgotten in bid for professional sports star status This was the message when sports stars from the Newcastle Knights when they travelled from New South Wales in late January to speak to more than 100 promising rugby league players from clubs and schools at WelTec s Petone campus. Michael Hagan, Jeremy Smith, Craig Smith and Troy Pezet from the Newcastle Knights talked about the benefits of combining high performance sport and education at a presentation organised for families of young league boys, many of whom are part of the Tamaiti Whangai programme or planning to study at WelTec. The presentation was followed by a rugby league training clinic held at the Petone Recreation Ground where Newcastle Knights team and Tamaiti Whangai s David Lomax put more than 100 boys through a series of gruelling exercises and skills tests. Newcastle Knights Craig Smith Educational Performance The Tertiary Education Commission has provided us with our 2014 Educational Performance Indicators. Indicative results show our course completions in 2014 were 81% (ranking us 5th nationally compared to other ITPs) with qualification completions at 73% (equates to a rank of 6th overall). 76% of our students either completed a qualification or re-enrolled at WelTec (2nd top ranking nationally).

7 Wellington Trades Academy New Manager, New Focus With a significant funding boost for 2015 Hutt City is set to benefit from a fantastic programme that improves young people s chances of achieving their educational goals. The Wellington Trades Academy provides education to Year 11 to 13 students enrolled at both the Trades Academy and secondary school. The Academy has been in operation since February 2010 and each year has grown and seen students achieve excellent results with 80% achieving NCEA level 1 in Many young people thrive at school and can t wait to get back after the long summer break. Others though are ready for different experiences, working with their hands or alongside other adults. One programme in Hutt City is combining the best of both worlds, making sure young people stay in education and gain qualifications, with 80% gaining NCEA level 1 last year, exceeding all expectations! A small group of Year 11 boys from Wainuiomata High School spent last year splitting their week over 3 days at secondary school and 2 days at the Wellington Trades Academy (WTA) at WelTec. 12 of the students achieved NCEA level 1 and almost all of the students are continuing on with further study this year. The students received mentoring and pastoral care through the Tamaiti Whangai programme with Heston Patea from Wainuiomata providing the link between Wainuiomata High School, Te Runanganui O Taranaki Whanui and the Wellington Trades Academy. Wainuiomata High School Principal Martin Isberg said We are very pleased that this collaboration with the Wellington Trades Academy and Taranaki Whanui Runanga has achieved such positive results for our students. The programme links to Vocational Pathways, one of the government s Youth Guarantee initiatives, which helps students transition between school and careers. The programme built on the boys interests and opened up experiences of what it is like to be a carpenter or an engineer. The students started by making some of the equipment Tradies use every day, like saw stools and metal tool trays, says Kerry Parkes, Wellington Trades Academy tutor. Then they moved on to projects like making a set of cupboards, picnic tables (which they did a great job of) and wind vanes with aluminium fans on the tail. Helping the students see how good their future could be was a driving force for the staff of the Trades Academy and Wainuiomata High School working with these students. Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace says, Hutt City Council is pleased to support this fantastic and innovative programme. It is important that all of our young people have the opportunity to reach their potential and that means offering alternate pathways. This programme inspires students through providing connections with trades, while also ensuring they gain valuable academic qualifications. David Hibberd is the new Secondary Tertiary Partnership Programme Manager of the Wellington Trades Academy. David is a trained teacher having worked at Worthing College in the UK for a number of years and more recently setting up and running the programmes and community initiatives at the ASB Sports Centre in Kilbirnie, Wellington. David is well known to schools in Wellington and will be getting to know more of the secondary schools across the Wellington region over the coming weeks in his new role. I want to bring alive the secondary/tertiary programmes for young people across Wellington. The Trades Academy is a fantastic option for those who want to make a positive choice about their future and who are keen to achieve at secondary school and in a tertiary education setting, says David. I am very keen to see young people succeed academically, whilst making sure we are providing a joined up pathway with secondary schools. This combined approach enables students to excel in a tertiary environment. I would like to expand the offerings available via the Trades Academy and will be speaking with secondary schools over the next few months about what they would like us to deliver. The Wellington Trades Academy is exploring expanding delivery into the Wellington CBD, South Wellington and the Kapiti Coast. The option of a mid-year intake for secondary school students wanting to study part-time with the Wellington Trades Academy is currently being explored.

8 Creative Technology students add artistic flair to Hutt Arcade Students in WelTec s Bachelor of Creative Technologies are bringing colour to Queens Arcade in central Lower Hutt. Part of a Hutt City Council project, the students are painting a mural along one side of the arcade towards the High Street end. It s phase one of a Council project that involves a mural, signage and an artificial grass wall, says WelTec student Cole Zeal who is leading the project. We ve had a great reaction so far. Everyone who has walked past has been quite impressed, says Cole The final-year student in WelTec s Bachelor of Creative Technologies produced the concept design and is project managing the painting, which has involved a number of students working day and night to get it done by April. This is the first major project I ve done and everyone from Hutt City Council to WelTec have been really supportive, says Cole. BCT Student Cole Zeal Hutt City Council Cyndi Christensen CBD Development Manager says, It s great to have WelTec students involved in this project, which will add some vibrancy to the CBD. Queens Arcade is a hidden gem that needs a bit of a polish. With new businesses populating that end of the Arcade, it s a timely opportunity to turn this into an attractive and interesting space. Paint and other materials for the project have also been generously supplied by local paint company Resene Paints. Cole Zeal says the idea for the street art project came out of a class he did last year. His tutor at WelTec Grant Corbishley suggested there might be the opportunity to work with the Hutt City Council on improving spaces in the CBD. Since then, the Council has worked with property and store owners to give the project the green light. We re looking to bring vibrancy to the Arcade and the store owners, in particular, have been really welcoming of the idea. Why not use our creative talent to transform this space, says Cole Cole who is originally from Auckland came to Wellington to work in the thriving Wellington film sector. I came here because I wanted to get into film and in the Bachelor of Creative Technologies you learn about digital technology, says Cole. However my background is also ideal for this project. I ve really enjoyed doing the concept design and would like to do more of that. One of the main reasons we ve done this is to enhance the environment for local Hutt businesses and visitors to the Arcade. If this project s a success, maybe we could help enliven some other spaces too, says Cole. WelTec Hosts Suqian College Suqian city is located four hours from Nanjing, China. The population is around 4.7 million. It is a fast-developing city and requires more qualified engineering graduates to support the development of the city. In February WelTec was selected to host visitors from Suquin. The college provides its students with advanced learning and living facilities and offers classes in art, science, engineering, agriculture, education, economics, law and management. WelTec aims to forge a relationship with Suquin involving academic collaboration and exchanges.

9 High flyer s career takes off Jono Daly and Dr Frans Weehuizen WelTec School of Engineering Jono Daly who majored in electrical engineering for his Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree at the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) in 2014 couldn t be happier. Not only has he been accepted as an Engineering Officer with the New Zealand Air Force, he was involved in an exciting energy project as part of his final year project for his Degree a project which offers real benefit to the increasing numbers of people who rely on renewable energy. Seeing my final year student project actually being of real use to people is fantastic, says Jono. The battery monitoring system can be fitted to any medium-sized energy system to enhance the performance of renewable energy systems by switching loads on and off to help balance supply and demand. It is designed to be super flexible so it can really be used anywhere, including in the average Kiwi home. Jono s aim was to control the prototype hydrogen generator on Matiu/Somes Island to maximise the total energy output of the system without starting the back-up generator, says Callaghan Innovation Senior Research Scientist Robert Holt Jono s mentor. Jono designed, built and tested a circuit to monitor the charge level of the Island s 48V battery bank and to provide start/stop control to the hydrogen generator. The system has a lot of potential and could be used to optimise energy systems in other environments, says Robert Holt. Callaghan Innovation aims to inspire and motivate current and future generations of New Zealand innovators and help fill skills shortages in the science, engineering and technology industries so it is excellent if we can support young engineers of this calibre to complete a practical tertiary education. WelTec s Head of Engineering Graham Carson says, At the same time as Jono studied his New Zealand Diploma in Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering Technology at WelTec he was a dedicated student who set himself high standards to achieve his future goals. He is an inspiration to anyone thinking of studying engineering. It is very rewarding for all the engineering staff at WelTec to see Jono s hard work pay off and for him to move his career to the next level and join the NZAF. All WelTec campuses are proudly Smokefree Connection is WelTec s Newsletter to key stakeholders. Connection is produced quarterly.