NZ Herald - Future You Education & Careers Feature March 2022

A New Zealand Herald Commercial Publication Thursday, March 24, 2021

FUTURE

YOU Education & careers for 2022 & beyond

Bite-sized and online learning the way of the future How technology is making learning more flexible and future-focused Also inside: Rocket Lab | Money management for kids Work your way to the top | Upskilling through micro-credentials

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FUTUREYOU | 3

future you The

inside Bite-sized and online learning

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Teaching money management

9

Reach for the stars with Rocket Lab

10

Work your way to the top

12

Timber industry gets helping hand

14

Get into the potato industry

16

Upskilling through micro-credentials

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Writer Ruby Harfield | Designer Courtney Wenzlick Print Commercial Manager Kelly Spice | GM Publishing (Commercial) Chris Rudd Advertising Enquiries E: Kelly.Spice@nzme.co.nz M: 021 605 297

A NZME PUBLICATION

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Learn. Stack.

Build. Master.

The future of learning is bite-sized.

Stackable micro-credentials make it easy for you to start using new knowledge and skills today, while building towards what you want for your tomorrow.

Scan me to learn more

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FUTUREYOU | 5

ABOVE: The Mind Lab/Tech Futures Lab chief executive and founder Frances Valintine.

INSET: The Mind Lab offers many micro-credentials. Photos/Supplied

Bite-sized and online learning the way of the future

By Ruby Harfield

Tertiary education continues to evolve with the use of technology to make learning more flexible and future-focused.

U

niversities and polytechnics are now offering a range of learning options from in person, to solely online (or a mix) as well as bite-sized courses called micro-credentials.

Online or distance learning has become increasingly popular with technology making remote learning easier and universities now offering a vast array of courses.

The Covid-19 pandemic has only increased demand for online learning and restrictions have meant tertiary education providers have had to quickly adapt to a new way of teaching.

The Tertiary Education Commission said online learning has been a key tool for institutions to be able to deliver education in response to Covid-19 restrictions on faceto-face engagement.

Another new initiative are microcredentials which the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) describes as smaller than a qualification with a

focus on skill development opportunities not currently catered for in the regulated tertiary education system.

NZQA introduced micro-credentials into its framework in 2018.

Otago Polytechnic has adapted to changing circumstances with the use of both micro-credentials and online learning.

Its chief executive Megan Gibbons said micro-credentials are a significant change in how education is delivered and this approach will be the way of the future.

Some micro-credentials on offer are the Certificate in Bicultural Competency as well as courses in veterinary nursing and health which allow people to receive credentials for specific skills in their industry.

Distance learning has been used by Otago Polytechnic to help open up study to people unable to study on campus, Dr Gibbons said.

“For some people, family, work and other commitments and factors rule out traditional modes of learning/study.

“Online or distance learning gives people the freedom to gain a qualification in their own time.”

Otago Polytechnic has a dedicated online/distance support advisor and all student support services can be accessed online.

“This ensures that regardless of where a student is studying, they can still access support for their learning journey.”

Online study areas at Otago Polytechnic include horticulture, apiculture, health and wellbeing and art (glaze ceramics).

“Our online learning platforms let you talk to your facilitator and your virtual classmates and access all your course material from wherever you are,” Dr Gibbons said.

Distance options have grown over the years and include some courses that are a result of partnerships with co-providers such as eCampus and Open Education Resources university (OERu). eCampus NZ is a partnership of several major tertiary education providers in New Zealand.

All courses and study are fully online and most courses are available to start at regular intervals throughout the year.

OERu allows users to access learning materials through WikiEducator, the openly licensed platform.

It is coordinated by the OER Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organisation.

Students worldwide can freely access high-quality learning and research material online from a network of recognised universities, polytechnics and community colleges from five continents.

Meanwhile, Open Polytechnic markets itself as New Zealand’s leading provider of online and distance learning at a tertiary level.

Chief executive Caroline Seelig said distance learning offers the flexibility for learners to study in their own time and place.

“Access to study materials, our library, academic staff, and learner support is provided online, which means learners are able to access their course materials and learning activities when it’s convenient to them.”

The majority of Open Polytechnic

learners are busy adults fitting their study in around work and family commitments, Dr Seelig said.

“Because learners don’t attend physical classes, they can choose how much time each day they can commit to study, and the time of day it suits them to undertake that work.

“The benefit of distance learning means learners can study to upskill for their current role, or a future career, while still being able to earn a living and carry out their many other life commitments.

“Distance learning ensures nationwide access to flexible lifelong learning for people who want, or need, an alternative to campus-based study.”

Overall, distance learning helps ensure equity of access to education for those who can’t, or don’t want to, attend a face-to-face learning environment, she said.

While Open Polytechnic was already seeing growth in the popularity of its online learning offerings in 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic has seen a big increase in learners wanting to access distance learning.

“In 2021 we experienced a 30 percent increase in enrolments, which came on top of already significant increases in enrolments in 2020.”

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) has seen a good uptake for micro-credential courses, especially with businesses or stakeholders enrolling their staff.

NMIT director of programmes and delivery Marja Kneepkens said microcredentials provide students with a quality assured, NZQA-recognised, bite-sized piece of learning.

“Feedback from participants of the micro-credential courses has been excellent.”

Some options are ‘Predator Trapping Methods’, ‘Leadership for Primary Industries’ and ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence for Society and Business’.

The Predator Trapping Methods is very popular, Kneepkens said.

“Students come from a variety of backgrounds – many of them are working for volunteer groups, regional councils and

FUTUREYOU | 6

ABOVE: Open Polytechnic chief executive Dr Caroline Seelig.

RIGHT: Otago Polytehnic’s online and distance learning programmes give people the freedom to gain qualifications in their own time. Photos/Supplied

the Department of Conservation.”

The University of Canterbury offers a number of micro-credentials with more – which will be fully flexible and online – due to be launched later this year.

The university’s dean of future learning and development professor Michael Grimley said micro-credentials are offered in areas including engineering, marketing and the Better Start Literacy Approach for schools.

“A micro-credential is recommended for someone who wishes to gain a new skill or new knowledge to improve their prospects of gaining employment or improving their current skills or knowledge to apply in a current work situation.

“It may improve their capability in a

current role or improve their chances of promotion.

“Therefore, flexibility to learn anywhere, anytime is usually desired, given that the learner is likely to be working and not able to attend a physical place of learning at particular times of day.”

The University of Canterbury sees the need for education to be accessible, flexible, and future-focused, Professor Grimley said.

“The University of Canterbury is committed to providing this through more online and blended options for students.

“Online (distance) learning provides us with a portal for engaging wider audiences

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and reaching a wider domestic and global audience.

“We are moving away from calling it ‘distance learning’ to the term ‘online learning’ as technology affords a diverse range of advantages beyond creating the opportunity to learn at a distance.”

The University of Canterbury currently offers 12 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) with four more launching later this year, via the edX platform.

These courses are free short online courses, or for a small fee learners can become certified.

A number of these courses are similar to a micro-credential, in that they teach specific skills and new knowledge that can be applied in the world of work.

The arrival of Covid-19 lead Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to fully embrace e-learning with teaching being undertaken remotely and on digital platforms.

A spokesperson said AUT’s mission is to nurture great graduates by providing exceptional learning experiences for all students, both on campus and off.

“Prior to the pandemic the university had a growing focus on distance learning and how we could offer a quality learning experience to our students, no matter where in New Zealand - or the world - they live.”

The university’s approach to distance learning has always been collaborative and flexible.

“As we move beyond the pandemic in time, we will continue to deliver a quality

learning experience through both the traditional classroom and multiple modes of digital delivery.”

The Mind Lab/Tech Futures Lab The Mind Lab/Tech Futures Lab is the first education provider in Aotearoa to offer stackable micro-credentials which people can build up to a Master degree.

It is designed for adults who know they need to do some form of study, learning or professional development in order to develop skills, stay relevant and build confidence.

Founder and chief executive Frances Valintine said the courses are for people who are working full-time so aren’t able to go back to study.

“Micro-credentials are the fastest growing part of education around the world.”

They are bite-sized so people can keep adding them up or stacking them up to qualifications over their career.

“All of the programmes are postgraduate study – you should start with your area of interest.”

Many people are finding that learning and knowledge from previous study is becoming redundant, especially with technology, Valintine said.

“The average age of students is 42 whose career is heading to its ultimate destination but there are gaps in their knowledge.”

The idea is that the future of learning is bite-sized and people should be able to start small with micro-credentials that are short courses relevant to a specific skill or topic and then build onto their learning and knowledge.

There is also the possibility for learners to stack micro-credentials and a postgraduate certificate to then be eligible for a Masters.

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FUTUREYOU | 8

FUTURE YOU NEWS

Frances Valintine has used insights from her own career to write a new book. Photo/Supplied

SIT students can access flexible study options from anywhere in NZ. Photo/Supplied

Scott Bartlett. Photo/Supplied

Be curious.Say yes to change.

Study Made Easy with SIT2LRN

New scholarship honours former student

What does it take to go from imagining a different life to creating one? Entrepreneur and educator Frances Valintine has spent her life trying to untangle why some people don’t embrace change even when they know their future depends on it. In her new book Future You, Frances shares insights from her own extraordinary career to show how breaking away from expectation and routine is integral to living a full and successful life. Frances inspires and empowers readers to make bold self-discoveries: to take risks, step off the conveyor belt, open your heart to chance, overcome self-doubt, foster generosity, pass less judgement, think originally, and lead with possibility.

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to do the things we want can be a juggle. The barrier to enrolling in study may be, “can I fit this in with work and/or family commitments?”

Thankfully, SIT2LRN has come up with the answer – the distance learning faculty of the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), specialises in providing flexible study solutions - more than sixty programmes in a wide range of subjects, can be accessed and studied anywhere in NZ, from Certificates through to Master’s degrees, both NZQA approved and internationally recognised.

A new scholarship set up by ASB, Kordia and the University of Waikato will provide financial support to outstanding students in their final year of study in a conjoint degree, or degree with a double major, spanning business management and the sciences at the University of Waikato.

The Scott Bartlett Memorial Scholarship has been established to remember the electronic commerce graduate, business leader, and former member of the university’s council and ASB’s board. Bartlett died in late 2020 at the age of 40 after a battle with cancer.

The scholarship will be awarded to three students each year, with applications being taken from 2022 and the first scholarship being awarded in 2023. Each scholarship is worth $4000.

Future You by Frances Valintine. Available at all good bookstores & online at Mighty Ape RRP $37.99

Phone 0800 4 0 FEES (0800 40 3337) or visit www.sit. ac.nz/campus/SIT2LRN-Distance-Learning to learn more.

FUTUREYOU | 9

ABOVE: Jovan (co-founder) and Jaime Pavlicevic with their kids Cadence and Taylor, and dog Gatsby.

TOP RIGHT: Jamie (co-founder) and Sandy Jermain with their kids Chloe, Caden and Jesse (L-R).

RIGHT: SquareOne was created to teach kids about money. Photos/Supplied

Start teaching money management early

By Ruby Harfield

A

new app has been created to teach children about the importance of money management.

SquareOne is a free app to help children look after and use their own money while giving them tools to learn sensible financial habits.

It was created by friends Jovan Pavlicevic and Jamie Jermain, both with financial backgrounds, who wanted an easy and effective way to teach money confidence to their own children using real money.

Jermain said they started SquareOne as a way to teach kids about money in a world that’s digital and largely cashless.

“We’ve heard from so many parents that feel their kids aren’t learning about money at school and that they never have cash to give them regular pocket money or pay them for small jobs.

“We’re not anti-cash at all, we just felt that in 2022, we need a better way to manage kids’ money and teach them about earning, saving and spending.”

It’s empowering for kids to manage their

own money and feel in control, he said.

“It’s been a great way to teach the kids about the value of money.

“They’re motivated to look for jobs to do and understand that if you work hard or seek new opportunities you can earn more money and save for things you want to buy.

“They start to appreciate what their time is worth and, once they’ve earned the money they get the satisfaction of seeing their money grow as they save up for things they want.”

The app helps children to see money in a new light and not something magically coming from their parents, Jermain said.

“Our kids are growing up as digital natives and we want to give them the tools they’re going to be exposed to in later life so they can learn those lessons now.

“There’s no connection between where the money comes from, how hard you work to earn the money and then how much things actually cost.

“When kids turn 18 we let them out into the world with access to loans and credit

cards and just expect them to know what they’re doing.”

SquareOne helps children connect the dots between earning, saving and spending money but it’s also necessary to sit down and talk about money, he said.

“It’s such an important part of life, not because having a lot of money means having a better life, but because understanding how to manage your money can make such a difference in helping you live the life you want.

“If parents can set kids off on the right track, it makes a huge difference further down the road.”

Pavlicevic said a staggering one third of all New Zealanders have less than $1000 in savings.

“It’s hardly surprising given most of us have never been taught how to manage money.

“Schools don’t teach it and most parents don’t know how – no wonder kids think money grows on trees.”

SquareOne fosters positive money habits

in children by offering easy incentives to save their money and colourful graphics to track their progress, he said.

“With incentives to earn and learn, kids quickly appreciate the power of saving, spending, borrowing, and more.”

The app comes with a free Mastercard Prepaid Debit card that parents can use to set jobs, pay pocket money and have full control over how and where the card is used.

Over-18 merchants are blocked, and kids get their own version of the app to tick off jobs, set up unlimited savings pockets and track where they’re spending.

There are no details on the card (no name or number) so there’s no chance of card fraud and kids can only spend what’s loaded onto their card.

Parents get real-time spend notifications and can easily set spending limits and savings goals.

SquareOne is free and available to download in the Apple iOS and Google Play stores.

FUTUREYOU | 10

Reaching for the stars

By Ruby Harfield

G

lobal space company Rocket Lab has been helping New Zealanders reach their potential in the industry.

Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 is on the Mahia Peninsula, Hawke’s Bay, and since 2017 the company has granted a scholarship to help young people from the area, particularly Māori, to pursue science, technology, engineering, or maths (STEM).

The Rocket Lab Scholarship covers up to $20,000 of tertiary education fees for up to four years of study and includes mentorship from the company.

At the end of last year, it was awarded to two people for the first time - Hinewairere Sollitt-Mackey, from Ruatoria, and Pikitangarangi Ratapu, from Mahia, both with whakapapa to local iwi.

Sollitt-Mackey, 22, plans to study Engineering at the University of Auckland, returning to her dream career after a lack of support caused her to withdraw from the field at the University of Canterbury.

Ratapu, 17, plans to study Biology and Chemistry at the University of Auckland and has a strong interest in the natural world.

Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck said encouraging young New Zealanders to continue their education and follow career paths in STEM, while directly supporting the local community in Mahia and surrounding regions, is the foundation of the Rocket Lab Scholarship.

“Bright and dedicated young people...are

going to shape the future of New Zealand, and I’m proud we’re able to have played a small part in helping them achieve their dreams.”

Rocket Lab education programme lead Felicity Powell said the company also provides support and mentorship to ensure the candidates have the best opportunity to succeed.

“We want to build as many pathways for young people – and career changers – to find their place in space.”

There are many other opportunities at Rocket Lab including internships, apprenticeships and graduate programmes.

“Our Rocket Lab Aerospace Apprenticeship is groundbreaking as it was the first Level 4 Trade Qualification in Aeronautical Engineering, specifically in rocket engineering, in New Zealand,” she said.

“Under the supervision of Rocket Lab specialists and engineers, apprentices learn the specialised trade skills necessary to assemble Electron rockets for missions, as well as test and qualify other space hardware.”

Working at Rocket Lab is not just for people wanting to become rocket scientists – the company has jobs for anyone including those with no tertiary qualifications.

“Some of our team didn’t even finish high school – and we have sponsored some of our team to get PhDs.

Rocket Lab offers scholarships, internships and apprenticeships to encourage people into STEM. Photos/Supplied

“What sets our team apart from other industries is their attitude and drive.”

For people unsure what they want to do as a career it is important to spend time thinking about who they want to be and how they want to spend their time, Powell said.

“Find what you are passionate about – whether it’s climate change, equity, innovation to solve the biggest challenges

KICK-START OR UPSKILL YOUR CAREER WITH SIT2LRN DISTANCE LEARNING Enrol for 2022 at sit.ac.nz info@sit.ac.nz

0800 4 0 FEES The SIT Zero Fees Scheme (ZFS) is subject to NZ government policies.

facing humanity, or maybe it’s just making cool things that blast into space.

“Whatever that is, then find the people who know what it takes to do that thing on a daily basis.

“Space is such an exciting industry because there is so much variety in what we do, and particularly at Rocket Lab, where our business intersects all aspects of what it takes to go to space and why we go there.”

BRIGHT FUTURES ARE M ADE AT

Any career can start right here.

Scan to join the crew or visit careers.mcdonnalds.com/new-zealand

FUTUREYOU | 12

ABOVE: McDonald’s New Zealand managing director Dave Howse.

INSET:McDonald’s New Zealand head of communications Simon Kenny. Photos/Supplied

They’re lovin’ it

By Ruby Harfield

A

job at McDonald’s during high school, or later on, can help develop lifelong skills and even lead to a corporate career in the fast food chain.

McDonald’s employs over 10,000 people across 170 restaurants in New Zealand with many employees completing NZQA training while working there.

McDonald’s New Zealand managing director Dave Howse said the company is recognised for its world class training.

“In New Zealand our training is NZQA accredited and people start the training pathway as soon as they join us.

“We’re one of New Zealand’s largest employers of young people, and over the last 40 years hundreds of thousands of Kiwis will have worked under the golden arches.”

For many people, McDonald’s will be their first formal job.

“Our franchisees and managers give many people their first grounding in the fundamentals of work, including time keeping, following processes, and learning good customer service skills.

“The training pathway offers people the opportunity to forge a career in hospitality.

“Anecdotally, employers also say that having McDonald’s on your CV is a real strength.”

Starting at McDonald’s, regardless of your next job, tells employers that you’ve worked in an environment that helps develop a range of skills and builds confidence, Howse said.

“Our people tell us what they like most about working at McDonald’s are the friends they make, the fun they have, and the flexibility of the job to fit their life.

“Those that choose a career with McDonald’s talk about the opportunities presented to them, the qualifications they never thought they’d achieve, and the doors that can be opened.”

The company’s last three managing directors in New Zealand started as McDonald’s crew and around a third of the franchisees moved up through the restaurants.

“Many of our franchisees own multiple restaurants, and have staff who move up from the restaurants into management roles in their organisations.

“Around half of the McDonald’s corporate office team started in restaurants, and it’s not

unusual for our people to celebrate 20 and 30 year anniversaries with the business.”

In the last few years over 150 McDonald’s restaurant managers have earned a diploma in hospitality.

“For many, they are the first in their family to earn a tertiary qualification.”

Howse said two most recent successes were Stella Gale and Jonny Norris.

Both manage restaurants in the Wellington region and last year they were recognised amongst the top 1 percent of McDonald’s restaurant managers worldwide, winning Ray Kroc Awards.

“For a company that employs over 1.7 million people around the world, that’s an amazing achievement.

“Stella and Jonny are heading to Orlando this year to receive their awards.”

Staff joining McDonald’s start by completing training on the various stations around the restaurant and can quickly move up, he said.

They can then train to become a crew trainer or maintenance person, and then a shift assistant.

Following that they could become a shift

Elevate to the top at Harvey Norman

A

job at Harvey Norman often leads to a lifelong career with 100 percent of current managers starting on the shop

floor.

The company provides comprehensive training for a range of roles including sales and management.

A spokesperson for the company said they are always looking for talented, dedicated team members.

“We are passionate about promoting from within and look for team members that have the potential to grow and excel in our business.

“We provide extensive in house training for our team both through our in store training

and management training program Elevate.”

Harvey Norman is committed to growing its people.

“If you want a career in sales, admin or warehousing, this is the place for you “When you work with us it is more than just a retail job it can be the start of a truly fantastic career.

“In addition to the opportunities you will have working for us, our teams are more like families and we care for and support each other.”

People starting at Harvey Norman are given a comprehensive induction followed by on the job training with their manager and company suppliers.

“We believe in a blended learning approach so you may have face-to-face training in one of our training schools, on-the-job training and online training opportunities.

“Add to this the uncapped earning potential in sales and we are a great place to work.”

The company credits some of its success to its policy of promoting from within and 100 percent of Harvey Norman’s current store managers and general managers started on the shop floor.

“Our current managers will actively identify talent that have management potential and these candidates are sent on our exclusive management training program Elevate.

supervisor or McCafe team leader, then a certified shift supervisor.

“Once staff have progressed to this level, the next consideration is a move into restaurant management or operations.

“By the time you’ve become a qualified restaurant manager, you will have earned a diploma in hospitality.”

McDonald’s New Zealand head of communications Simon Kenny said he worked for the company when he was a teenager.

“I worked part time at McDonald’s when I was at high school, and can still remember the fun I had, and the skills I learned.

“The experience made it easy to get jobs while I studied at university, and when the opportunity came up to join McDonald’s head office, it was an easy decision.”

The McDonald’s manager who gave Kenny his first ever reference was still working for McDonald’s when Kenny rejoined the team having moved into a corporate role.

“He then went on to help open McDonald’s in Vietnam.

“So, whether you take a part time job while studying, or forge a career with Macca’s, the opportunities it can offer are great.”

By Ruby Harfield “Here they are taught the fundamentals of running a Harvey Norman business, business finance and people management skills.

“They are then mentored and supported by their manager and our dedicated team in the support office to ensure that they get the most from this opportunity.”

Over the last two years more than 15 of the company’s newest store managers have come through the Elevate program.

“Make no mistake, it takes hard work and effort to graduate from Elevate and be given your own store but the rewards are well worth it,” the spokesperson said.

“With our stores across the country it is also a great opportunity to see New Zealand.”

FUTUREYOU | 14

Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service programme delivery forest science lead Emily Telfer showcases the new website. Photo/Supplied

Timber industry gets helping hand A

timber advisory initiative has been created to promote and facilitate greater use of timber in New Zealand buildings.

The Timber Design Centre is an enterprise between Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service and a consortium comprising Scion (Crown Research Institute), the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association, New Zealand Timber Design Society and Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ).

Te Uru Rākau deputy director general Jason Wilson the initiative builds on international experience and will drive the shift to using timber to its full technical potential in New Zealand, particularly in mid-to-high rise buildings.

“This advisory service...is a milestone for increasing the use of timber in the design and construction of building projects, particularly in non-residential structures such as offices, hotels and multi-storey apartments.

“Through this collaboration, the centre will provide information on timber design guidance, research and development, and specialist technical advice to increase and speed up the use of timber in buildings” The centre will also help connect forestry and construction sectors and develop local

knowledge and skills on all aspects of using timber in buildings, he said.

“By overcoming barriers to using timber in design and construction, New Zealand has the opportunity to replace steel and concrete with wood, lower carbon emissions, and support our country’s drive to greater environmental sustainability.

“The centre is also a pathway to increase long-term demand for New Zealand wood products and support greater investment in domestic wood processing.”

By providing the latest advice and information, the centre will inspire building owners and property developers to commission wooden buildings, Wilson said.

“This is an exciting step to supporting design professionals to specify timber in building designs and enabling builders and contractors to build high quality wooden buildings which not only support our economic potential but will also deliver strong environmental outcomes for the future.”

Timber Design Centre consortium member, Daniel Moroder, who is also the Timber Design Society president, said the centre will help shape the timber industry, which in the last few years has shown a lack of specialised timber experts, ranging from designers and specifiers

to installers.

“There will be more demand for specialised designers with knowledge in timber, and universities are already providing more specialised training to engineers, designers and architects.

“With mid-rise and other larger timber buildings becoming more common, there is also an increased need for trained carpenters, who have the skills and the knowledge to install the timber structure.

“There will also be the need for more manufacturing capability in New Zealand, requiring more machine operators and technicians with an emphasis on wood processing.”

One of the centre’s core services is to share knowledge via workshops, seminars, webinars and field trips, Dr Moroder said.

“This will ensure that all stakeholders throughout the construction industry have all the information required to ensure timber construction projects are designed and built to the best standard and quality.”

The New Zealand Building Code will soon require that the carbon footprint of each building is determined in order to get building consent.

“Timber, therefore, becomes the natural

By Ruby Harfield

choice as it can sequester carbon and it, therefore, reduces the environmental impact of buildings.

“The construction industry will be more conscious over the material choice, and although concrete and steel will never be replaced by timber, some structures or part of a structure will see more timber structural elements.”

The first step is to educate the whole construction industry on the potential of timber construction and remove all misconceptions and prejudices, he said.

“It will then also provide technical advice to clients and designers who are new to timber construction and want to explore the possibilities.

“As the Timber Design Centre represents both designers and manufacturers and will maintain ties to the regulators and building authorities, it will ensure that any barriers to the use of timber in construction are addressed.”

Te Uru Rākau is funding the centre as part of the government’s Fit for a Better World roadmap.

The centre is currently virtual, so head to www.timberdesigncentre.co.nz to find out more.

nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Thursday, March 24, 2022

B15

FUTUREYOU | 16

Perfect time to get into potato industry T

By Ruby Harfield

ABOVE: Clive Kaiser is the new director for the Centre of Excellence for Potato Research and Extension. BELOW LEFT: Potato flowers. BELOW RIGHT Potato psyllid is a vector of zebra chip disorder that renders potato tubers inedible and unmarketable. Photos/Supplied

he potato industry has just had a major boost with the creation of a new research centre.

Potatoes New Zealand and Lincoln University have teamed up to launch the Centre of Excellence for Potato Research and Extension, based at Lincoln.

Lincoln University Associate Professor of Plant Science, Clive Kaiser, will be the centre’s director and said it will be a game-changer for the industry, which has been facing increased pressure from pests and diseases.

“The research conducted at the centre will be focused on working with potato growers to identify and understand the problems confronting them and to devise solutions to those problems.

“The solutions will be developed through discovering new knowledge, as well as by using existing knowledge in new ways, and will be underpinned by strong local, national and international collaborations.

“This cooperative, collaborative research approach will have immediate, significant and long-lasting benefits for New Zealand growers.”

The key is to present solutions to growers’ problems in a manner that is easily adoptable and helps them maintain and improve their profitability while remaining and improving environmental and social sustainability, he said.

“To this end, the centre will ensure that research is grower-centric, grower-led, and grower-responsive.”

Over the past few decades, Oregon State University Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center (HAREC) has become recognised as the premier provider of potato research and extension solutions for the North American potato industry and growers, Dr Kaiser said.

“We hope to replicate a modified version of this centre in Canterbury.”

Dr Kaiser was the director of HAREC before he started at Lincoln.

There are a number of pests that are affecting the potato industry and the research centre plans to work on solutions for these.

“Potato psyllid is a vector of zebra chip disorder that renders potato tubers inedible and unmarketable due to black discoloration of the potato flesh.

“This is having a severe negative economic impact on the Canterbury potato industry, where 70 percent of the commercial processed potato industry is based.

“Solving this problem is an immediate need for growers and the larger potato processing industry.”

Other pests and diseases also pose a problem to potato growers including potato tuber moth and blight, he said.

“The centre will tackle these in order of importance beginning with psyllid.”

Dr Kaiser said he hoped the centre would inspire more people into the industry and he would encourage people interested to get in touch.

“Come to Lincoln and do a diploma or degree with us and while you are here begin your potato industry journey as an intern in the centre.

“Come and join the collaborative team working on delivering grower-centric solutions to the industry.”

Potatoes New Zealand chief executive Chris Claridge said solving grower and industry problems is key.

“This partnership will enable us to do so more effectively.”

The New Zealand potato industry is valued at over $1 billion a year, with 175 growers across the country and multiple frozen chip and crisp processors, he said.

Goals for the centre: Create a true open partnership between the industry stakeholders and research partners.

Capture and share all existing knowledge in grower-friendly formats.

Rapid adoption of new and best management practices based upon existing and new knowledge.

Increased environmental and social sustainability.

Increased profitability and long term expansion of the industry.

FUTUREYOU | 17

Vision College offers small class sizes, pastoral care and academic support. Photos/Supplied

Changing lives through learning V ision College is a private training establishment (PTE) offering a range of courses including trades and IT. Reporter Ruby Harfield chats to its national marketing coordinator Rebekah Clark about what makes Vision College stand out.

What is Vision College?

Vision College is a division of Activate Training Centre, and one of the largest PTEs in New Zealand. Vision College has campuses located around New Zealand – our four main campuses are in Auckland, Pukekohe, Hamilton and Christchurch.

What sort of education do you offer?

We offer a variety of programmes across our campuses, including non-qualification programmes, certificates, diplomas and degrees.

Our programmes are grouped into 10 schools of learning: • Ultimate (Foundation Skills) • Trades (Agriculture, Mechanical Engineering, Security) • Business Administration • Counselling • Early Childhood Education • Information Technology • Christian Ministry • ESOL • Literacy and Numeracy • Employment Placement Services We offer our programmes to anyone aged 16+, no upper age limit.

What sets Vision College apart from others?

Our mission ‘Changing Lives Through

Learning’ is what drives us to be among the best educational providers in New Zealand, offering programmes and services that make a real difference in the lives of our learners.

We provide high levels of pastoral care, academic support and individual attention to students and their learning. Our tutors are dedicated to helping students achieve, and our smaller class sizes allow them to work personally with students to help them to grow and succeed academically What can Vision College offer students in terms of experiences outside learning?

We offer our students support outside of their education – we help set them up with counselling services, if needed, and provide food parcels to students and their families who need them.

We hold free weekly student barbecues to engage with our students. Covid-19 restrictions have made it harder to do other regular onsite activities with students, so our student support team will often visit classes to bring encouragement through lollies and other goodies.

We also offer transport to students aged 16-19. We offer van services and can cover the cost of transport, depending on how far from campus the students live.

Why would you recommend Vision College to prospective students?

Vision College is a great place to study, especially if you are looking for a provider that can give you more one-on-one time with tutors who will be dedicated to helping you succeed.

FUTUREYOU | 18

Upskilling through micro-credentials

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Jessica Connors who has completed a number of courses through The Mind Lab and Tech Futures Lab. Photo/Supplied

By Ruby Harfield

Canadian woman living in New Zealand has found success in keeping up with changing work landscapes through studying micro-credentials.

Jessica Connors, who now lives in Auckland, has studied a number of short courses through The Mind Lab including ‘Digital Skills for the Workplace’ and ‘Leading Beyond Sustainability’.

She has had a varied career and is currently at a tech start-up, Easy Crypto, as a customer success specialist She’s studying for a postgraduate certificate in ‘Human Potential for the Digital Economy’ at The Mind Lab’s sister school – Tech Futures Lab. Connors said she will finish that course in a few months and can’t wait to study more.

One reason she wanted to study through The Mind Lab was because she is a fan of founder Frances Valintine.

“I first met her while working at the Global Women organisation in 2015 were she came and spoke to our Breakthrough Leaders Programme of 40 C-suite women, about the future of education.

“I was so inspired and motivated by her mahi and the depth to her thinking and vision for learners of all ages, so I just knew I wanted to study at her organisations/schools and learn more from her/her incredible staff.”

Another thing that appealed was the bite-sized learning programmes and hybrid (online and face-to-face) programmes that can fit around work and other life

Shape your future with real skills The right industry experience in your hands.

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commitments, she said.

“The programmes are contemporary and there are many flexible offerings.”

She is also using the study to achieve in depth learning on topical subjects.

“Our world is changing so rapidly and I don’t want to be left behind in terms of my skills and qualifications.

“I also wanted to meet like-minded individuals who have curiosity and the thirst to learn and take risks.”

Her first course was a postgraduate certificate in Digital & Collaborative Learning which was so great she kept coming back.

“I was inspired because I had such a great experience and great learnings from my first programme and I knew that there was much more that I could learn, especially in the digital and tech space.

“The landscape changes so quickly. There are new platforms and tools popping up all the time, so I knew there was more to learn and I wanted to challenge myself even further.”

The learning experience has felt contemporary and practical, she said.

“Previous schooling I have completed has felt very old school with ancient textbooks and teachers speaking at the students rather than collaborative learning.

“In my view, many traditional schooling systems have the hierarchy, or feel of lecture style where students are meant to absorb and regurgitate information rather than exercise their critical thinking skills.”

Find out how small lifestyle changes can lead to a sustainable future.

NZ Herald’s home for environmental news and content will inform, inspire and empower you.

nzherald.co.nz/ourgreenfuture

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nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Thursday, March 24, 2022

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