Management

New training available for advanced trade qualification

A new training programme has been launched enabling maintenance technicians to achieve the national level five advanced trade qualification through a structured programme of block courses and distance learning.

Skills4Work Maintenance Training Centre has put this programme together based on their existing Maintenance Excellence training courses.

The programme runs over 18 months and is split into three six month long semesters.

Each semester starts with a five day block course and is followed by two or three additional unit standards that can be achieved through distance learning.

“Skills4Work have been running courses for maintenance technicians, supervisors and managers for several years and these are becoming ever more popular with over 100 people attending them this year,” says Skills4Work maintenance training manager Phil Hurford.

“We have now taken these courses as the core component of the training to achieve the National level five Certificate in Maintenance & General Engineering.

“Most people know this simply as the advanced trade certificate. Until now, the only way to achieve this qualification was through distance learning by correspondence, but without tutor support and direction this is not an easy thing to do. With this new programme, distance learning plays a much smaller part and there is a dedicated tutor available to help with any problems.”

Skills4Work are taking enrolments for this programme now with the first semester scheduled to start in March 2013.

For more information:
Phil Hurford, Skills4Work
Tel: 027 488 6446
Email: p [dot] hurford [at] skills4work [dot] org [dot] nz

Thermal imaging can reduce fire risk

When buildings burn and people die, the inevitable questions come thick and fast. How did this happen? What caused this? And the big one – how can we prevent this from happening again?

More often than not it’s the insurance underwriters who are probing the cause of the blaze and asking the questions, looking for any maintenance negligence or ways it could have been avoided in the first place.

Meanwhile, as a preventative measure, more and more business owners are required to provide thermal switchboard survey reports to insurance companies as part of their commercial premises fire risk assessment.

Thermal survey switchboard reports have become a valuable business document that can lower insurance premiums and help businesses save money.

Thermal imaging cameras produce images of invisible infrared or “heat” radiation. Based on temperature differences between objects, thermal imaging produces a clear image.

It is an excellent tool for predictive maintenance, building inspections, research & development and automation applications.

It can see in total darkness, in the darkest of nights, through fog, in the far distance, through smoke. It is also used for security and surveillance, maritime, automotive, firefighting and many other applications. Faults that can be detected with a thermal imaging camera are indicated by elevated heat coming from the problem area. The causes of these faults range from a loose connection on a circuit breaker, an over current problem on a circuit or simply a loose screw – normally faults undetected by the naked eye.

With a 40 year history of infrared innovation, 100,000 systems in use worldwide and development centers and sales offices in over 60 countries, FLIR is a world leader in thermal imaging technology.

FLIR thermal imaging cameras are at the forefront of switchboard surveys. They allow inspectors to see hot spots which are generally traced to a high resistance connection with multiple causes of failure.

Detecting hot spots allows people to see faults before they become a problem and predictive maintenance reports involve taking an IR image accompanied by a visual image.

They can provide an electrical systems report for the customer and insurance companies. As well, repairs can be scheduled to fix potential problems before they become costly failures like fires.

The commercial sector is valuing the use of the infrared technology as it calculates the cost savings associated with reduced breakdown maintenance and lost production downtime.

The use of thermal imaging identifies faults at an early stage, enabling remedial work to be planned around business operations.

Also as faults are found early, the cost of remedial works is far less than if left to the point where equipment fails.

Thermal imaging surveys include both infrared and visual images to provide those without electrical knowledge, a better understanding of the problem and its implications.

The annual switchboard and electrical distribution system thermography surveys are giving facility managers a vastly improved picture of the condition of their assets leading to better asset-related business decisions.

And as thermography surveys can be completed with no interruption to business operations, it presents as a very valuable and cost effective package to many businesses.

It’s a similar story in domestic situations. If you’ve noticed your power dropping out, electrical appliances not working or the household lighting playing up it could be a fault in your switchboard which can easily be identified by a thermal imaging survey.

For more information:
Tel: 0800 785 492, 03 9550 2800
Fax: 03 9550 9853
Emaill: info [at] flir [dot] com [dot] au
Visit: www.flir.com

Engineering companies open doors for mechanical engineering students

Two engineering companies and an equipment supplier opened their doors in a recent Competenz careers open day giving Year 12 mechanical engineering students a peek behind the scenes.

The objective was to show students how a chosen vocational pathway can link up with a trades apprenticeship, and what subjects, such as maths, English and computing, they should focus on at school to prepare.

Nineteen students from Manukau’s Aorere College and Papatoetoe High School spent a day visiting Grayson Engineering, Stevenson Engineering and Blackwoods Protector Safety accompanied by their technology teachers and Competenz staff.

“The careers open day was a chance for these mechanical engineering students to have a look at industry close-up and see tradespeople at work,” explains Competenz trades training general manager, Fiona Kingsford.

“The students were given sound advice by tradespeople on becoming an apprentice, what an apprentice does and what they need to study at school if they want an apprenticeship. I believe this is invaluable in helping students choose a pathway towards a trades career, and in addressing New Zealand’s trades shortage.”

Aorere College deputy principal Stuart Kelly thought the careers open day was brilliant.

“It helps bridge the gap between industry and school. With these onsite visits teachers and students can see the trades career pathways more clearly, especially when they are given a talk by someone like Jason Cancare at Stevenson Engineering.”

Stevenson Engineering is a 100 year-old family firm that specialises in servicing mining equipment, engine overhauls, hydraulic engineering, auto electrical and other trades.

The students were given a tour of the plant, observing the many trades up close. Technical account manager Mr Cancare told the group what Stevenson looks for in apprentices.

“Stevenson only recruits top-level apprentices. Maths, English and computing skills are really important. Pre-trade training helps, as it shows an employer you’re keen.

“You have to have the right attitude. You have to be passionate. You have to be prepared to do overtime. A trade can be stressful, but also very satisfying. The time to prepare is while you’re still at school, choosing the right vocational pathway.”

The day began at Grayson Engineering, one of the largest structural fabrication companies in the country, responsible for landmark projects like Auckland’s Sky City complex, Otago Stadium and Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

General manager David Moore explained to the students the type of work Grayson does, the skills needed, and the background on several large projects.

Students were then given a tour to see Grayson Engineers fabricating project components. They were impressed with the fabrication of a 2.5 metre high I-beam for a bridge being built near Taupo.

At Blackwoods Protector Safety students were given a hands-on power-tool demonstration and a talk on eye safety before moving on to Stevenson Engineering. Summing up the day Papatoetoe student Viddhant Patel thought it had been great.

“The careers day and site visits gave me a really good idea of what I could be doing when I leave school. The work environments are pretty cool and everyone helps out.”

All students attending the careers day are enrolled in Year 13 mechanical engineering for next year.

Competenz is the Industry Training Organisation for the Engineering, Manufacturing, Baking, and Food and Beverage Manufacturing industries. Through its network of offices, Competenz looks after the needs of nearly 2,000 businesses, helping 12,000 people develop their skills on the job each year.

Competenz calls for engineering scholarship applications

The Competenz Scholarship for 2013 is now open for applications. There are 10 awards of $1000 each for ambitious engineering individuals.

The scholarships are designed to advance the careers of those working in the engineering and manufacturing sector.

A scholarship can be a huge help. Just ask Connor Farrell, who is studying toward a National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 5) in Engineering Fabrication.

He was awarded a scholarship earlier this year.

“I applied for this scholarship because I have a young family and have very little extra money,” says Mr Farrell.

“Receiving this scholarship meant a lot to me because if I didn’t receive it I most likely wouldn’t have been able to sit the qualification.”

Competenz scholarships are for those enrolling in a Level 5 Certificate and Level 6 Diploma or a Level 4 Assessment of Prior Learning. To be eligible candidates must have completed, or be due to complete, a Level 4 National Certificate in fabrication, refrigeration and air conditioning, locksmithing or fire protection, or Level 4 or 5 in mechanical engineering.

“Alternatively, candidates might be skilled in their trade, but they missed gaining a qualification when they were younger,” adds Competenz trades general manager, Fiona Kingsford.

“Candidates will also be considered if they were enrolled in an eligible course August 1 this year.”

Receiving a scholarship benefits both the employee and the employer, and it is also hugely inspirational.

“After achieving this qualification I plan on working towards a higher leadership role such as head foreman,” says Mr Farrell.

“Then, long term, I want to branch out on my own and start my own engineering business.”

Those wishing to apply for a 2013 Competenz Scholarship must be enrolled in their chosen course by March 1 2013. Application forms are available at www.competenz.org.nz

And if ambitious mechanical engineers need further inspiration to apply, we’ll let Mr Farrell have the last word.

“If it wasn’t for the Competenz Scholarship I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now, so a big, big thank you to all.”

For further information:
Robert Hamlin
Tel: 09 539 9813
Email: r [dot] hamlin [at] competenz [dot] org [dot] nz

Technology qualification in demand for the Christchurch rebuild

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology offered by New Zealand’s major polytechnics was launched in 2010 and is predicted to fill a gap in engineering training.

The BEngTech as it is known, is practical, connected with industry and addresses the shortage of engineering talent in New Zealand, particularly in light of the rebuild of Christchurch.

A lot of effort is currently being dedicated to identifying and meeting the skills needs for the rebuild and the BEngTech is certainly a timely addition to engineering training in that regard.

Graeme Wells, a registered designer from Beca Consulting Engineers, is an advocate of the new qualification. In fact, the BEngTech is his pick of qualifications that will support the rebuild.

“There’s a real shortage of technicians/technologists and that’s where the diploma and BEngTech fall into play. If a student wanted guidance from me I would be encouraging them to do the BEngTech – that has the best potential for them longer term,” he says.

In New Zealand, demand for professional engineers and engineering technologists in particular has never been higher.

Mr Wells’ research for the Design Association and Engineering Associates Registration Board has revealed that, globally, four engineering technicians/technologists are needed for every qualified engineer.

In New Zealand we have a way to go to reach those figures. In 2006, our ratio was almost one technician/technologist to one engineer.

Perhaps that will improve with the drive to up-skill New Zealanders to contribute to the rebuild of Christchurch, which, alongside the national shortages, should make engineering technology an attractive choice for secondary students who are looking at their options.

New Zealand’s six major polytechnics, known as the Metro Group, have joined forces to increase awareness of the qualification and share resources. One of the advantages of this collaboration is that students can transfer between institutes across the country part way through the qualification without changing their program of study.

But what really sets the BEngTech apart is the blend of theory and practice that is embedded in connections with local industry. Following the Christchurch earthquakes demand for engineering technologists has never been higher

Industry partners determine the work experience component of the programme. Having completed a significant project, students have on-the-ground experience that makes them work ready and highly employable, plus they have good industry connections before graduating.

In Christchurch, some final year students’ work placement has focused on the unique opportunity to study and record earthquake damage to the city bus exchange with an engineering tutor seconded from Opus Consultants.

Engineers from around the world are coming to Christchurch to study building behaviour during earthquakes so these students are being exposed to a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience.

The BEngTech is a well-grounded qualification which can be completed in three years full time or part time while working. Mr Wells says this flexibility has worked well for Beca.

“I think there is a win-win for both parties, both employer and employee. At Beca we have tended not to take on school leavers straight from school – we would like them to have had one to two years at polytechnic first – so they have got some basic skills on which we can build. We encourage them to study part-time after that to complete their course, so we offer cadetships to successful applicants.

“The technician/technologist, it’s a very important group and highly under-rated.

“The engineer from the university will have all of the theory and come up with an idea but it’s the technician/technologist that transforms those calculations and ideas into something that can actually be built,” says Mr Wells.

The BEngTech is internationally benchmarked by the Institution of Professional Engineers NZ (IPENZ).

Once graduates with this qualification gain an appropriate level of work experience, they are eligible to apply for membership to become a Technical Member of IPENZ (TIPENZ) and an Engineering Technologist Practitioner (ET Pract).

BEngTech graduates are also recognised by the Sydney Accord benchmark.

The Metro BEngTech has majors in civil, electrical and mechanical, with various specialisations.

It is offered at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, Manukau Institute of Technology, Otago Polytechnic, UniTec Institute of Technology, Waikato Institute of Technology and Wintec.

For more information:
Visit: www.bengtech.ac.nz

Pioneering initiative for women to enter welding trade

SkillsTech Australia has introduced a ground-breaking program – a free introductory course for women to enter the welding trade at the Bracken Ridge Training Centre in Brisbane.

SkillsTech Australia’s business manager of metal fabrication and boilermaking Chris Naylor says with a continuing skills shortages reported in trade sectors this was an opportunity for women to sample what the metal fabrication industry has to offer.

“SkillsTech Australia is dedicated to responding to our national trade skills shortage - this is a great initiative to give women an insight into an industry they may want to consider working in,” Mr Naylor says.

“We have been working closely with industry partners and have the support of Manufacturing Skills Queensland and enthusiastic teaching staff to get the program up and running.

“This course offers the basic skill set which runs during a 15-week period and is based on four competency modules which will result in students receiving a statement of attainment.

“The course is hands-on with basic level theory concepts aimed to give women a taste of the opportunities available in the manufacturing, engineering and resource sectors.

“This course can be used as a platform to progress onto further study such as the Certificate II or III in metal fabrication. The innovative concept was originally aimed at school students but due to an interest in the wider community we now have women of all ages enrolled in the first intake.

“As we progress towards up skilling future generations, similar courses in a variety of trade-specific areas may be available in the near future,” says Mr Naylor.

SkillsTech Australia’s booking officer automotive Jessica Hanton, a 24-year-old from Narangba, Brisbane, heard about the course through work and thought she would give it a go.

“My parents own property in Kilcoy, a small farming community in southeast Queensland, so welding skills would really come in handy,” Ms Hanton says.

“I have always enjoyed working with my hands and thought this would be a bit different to my usual office job. It also could help me towards a job in the resource sector in the future, so it is a win-win for me.”

For more information:
Visit: www.skillstech.tafe.qld.gov.au

First mechanical engineering candidates enrol in workplace qualification

The first mechanical engineering candidates have enrolled in the NZ Diploma in Engineering Practice (NZDEP), a work-based qualification for engineering technicians.

The diploma tests the practical application of engineering knowledge and skill in the mechanical engineering, production engineering or mechanical services industries. The NZDEP has been developed with industry by a number of Industry Training Organisations (ITOs). This included Competenz, the Industry Training Organisation for the engineering and manufacturing sector. The qualification is designed to meet industry needs and is assessed by engineers with current industry experience.

“In May of this year Steven Joyce, the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, stated that New Zealand has an under-supply of engineers and we are training about only half the number we require,” says Bill Sole, Competenz industry leadership project manager for mechanical engineering. “So to see the first students enrol in the NZDEPs is great news for the sector.”

An NZDEP is undertaken in conjunction with the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (NZDE), an academic qualification completed at an accredited polytechnic. Together, they provide a structured career pathway for engineering technicians.

Candidates can choose to complete the NZDE by studying full-time, and then enrol in the NZDEP when they start work. Or they can work towards both diplomas at the same time.

One such candidate is Paul Beattie, a production manager for the foundry at Hillside Engineering in Dunedin, where they undertake heavy fabrication and carriage refurbishment for KiwiRail. Mr Beattie tackled the academic side of his career starting in 2006, and completing a paper a semester. With the NZDEP, he is now completing the practical side.

“I had my trade as a boilermaker and welder, and had been a project engineer for 12 years, so I’d done most of the work,” says Mr Beattie.

“But I didn’t have the qualification. That’s what the NZDEP will give me.”

Another of the first to enrol is Kevin Ironside, a design engineer at Coulter Engineering in Tauranga. Coulter Engineering designs and builds boilers, pressure vessels, tanks for flammable liquids, and amusement rides (they designed and built the ‘Sky Jump’ on Auckland’s Sky Tower).

Mr Ironside, a fitter and turner by trade, completed his studies at the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec).

“I’ve done pretty much everything: running a machine shop, project management, design and build, quotes, purchasing – but I wanted that hard work recognised, so I decided to complete the NZDEP.”

On successful completion of the NZDE and the NZDEP, graduates are eligible for Certified Engineering Technician (CertETn) registration and Associate Membership of the Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand (AIPENZ).

Taskforce announces public consultation meeting, Hui and FonoMeeting schedule

The taskforce established to make recommendations on how to improve New Zealand’s workplace health and safety performance has released its scheduled public meetings, Hui and Fono.

Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety chairman Rob Jager says the Taskforce was committed to hearing from as many New Zealanders as possible as it worked to fully understand the impact of the issues contributing to workplace harm.

“The Taskforce is committed to an open, accessible and transparent consultation process,” says Mr Jager.

“As well as public consultation meetings we are also holding a series of Hui and Fono around the country to hear from all those with an interest in reducing the horrific impact of workplace deaths and injuries,” he says.

New Zealand’s workplace injury rates are approximately six times that of the UK and about twice that of Australiawhich, says Mr Jager, is simply not acceptable.

“Workplace injuries are not an isolated issue – they affect everyone - and occur as a result of a combination of many things including changing workplace practices and environments, regulatory ‘fitness’ and perhaps even our own culture.

“So we know we have a challenging task in front of us and understand we need input from as many individuals and organisations as possible so that our recommendations to government are practical, deliverable and sharply focused on reducing harm in the workplace,” says Mr Jager.

Public meetings will be held throughout the country and begin on October 9th. The full meeting schedule is given below and is also available of the Taskforce’s website – www.hstaskforce.govt.nz

Submissions to the Taskforce close at 5pm on November 16, 2012. The Taskforce is due to report to government by April 30, 2013.

Households could save up to $800 a year with Heatback

Inspired by a desire to help address climate change, Joseph van Liempt is working on a product to reuse energy that is usually wasted.

Mr van Liempt has been working on his Heatback system with WelTec since 2007 and is now at the stage of doing comprehensive trials to prove that his heat exchange product could save a mediumsized household up to $800 per year.

Retired but missing work, former Lower Hutt resident Mr van Liempt dusted off the book where he had jotted down product ideas he has had over many years.

“At the time, there was a lot of talk about climate change and I wanted to do something to help with that,” says Mr van Liempt.

“I had the idea for a heat recovery system for household waste water.”

The Heatback is designed to take the heat from water going down the drain and return it to the hot water cylinder.

Heatback is designed to be mounted under or near showers, baths and basins. The innovation is to make it small enough for the single story domestic environment, provide fast response returns for short burst use and simple enough to use limited resources in its construction.

Mr van Liempt did the extensive, global background research necessary to prove that his idea was viable and unique.

“There are many heat exchange processes for the industrial environment available but my hope is that Heatback will resolve practical issues of space and cost in homes, which are reported to produce 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. The actual Heatback system is made with an outside PVC casing

“I worked for 30 years in project management for product development for the engineering and construction industry. So I had some idea how to approach things. What I didn’t have was a 3D printer to produce a negative for the moulded parts, or the most up-to-date knowledge of engineering techniques.”

Mr van Liempt describes WelTec Connect as his R&D partner – able to provide the skills and equipment his project was previously lacking.

“People like me, with ideas, but who run on the smell of an oily rag cannot invest in some of the tools and expertise to get our ideas off the ground. To find these resources, and the expertise, so close to home was exciting.”

Mr van Liempt has now moved to Taupo but continues to work with Andrew Rodger and Roger Dunkley at WelTec Connect. He describes both as patient, as well as extremely knowledgeable.

“I take my technical issues to them and they know how to solve them. The collaborative approach was great. I know a lot more now than when I started.”

Once the residential Heatback system is proven and working well, Mr van Liempt has plans to work with WelTec Connect to further develop the technology so that it can go into other places where energy is wasted.

“I want my grandchildren to breathe pure air and enjoy our planet. If I can contribute to that in some small way, it will all be worth it.”

Incentives for small business

By David Shearer

Last month I took a walk through Pacific Steel in Otahuhu. The mechanical power of the mills was impressive – massive bundles of wrecked cars were melted then manipulated and remade as useful and lucrative wire rod, reinforcing bar and coil products. To the untrained eye, it’s like any other hot and dirty steel mill.

Dig a little deeper and you discover Pacific Steel is New Zealand’s largest recycler – processing 90,000 wrecked cars each year. It also maintains one of the lowest rates of greenhouse gas emissions of any steel mill in the world. It is a key employer in South Auckland, providing 350 jobs. And it is a high export earner, bringing more than $100 million a year into our economy. A good example of why the engineering industry is a top priority for me. That’s why, when I became leader of the Labour Party, I kept the science and innovation portfolio.

Compliance costs in New Zealand are too high for all but the largest companies. How can that be right in a country of small businesses – 80 percent of our engineering businesses have less than 15 staff?

Small to medium enterprises create 43.6 percent of New Zealand’s total output on a value-added basis – the backbone of our economy.

We need to make it easier for firms to raise the capital to expand and to build world-class capabilities in areas of growing international demand.

We need to make life easier for engineers and manufacturers to do business in New Zealand, to create a thriving, highwage economy from which everyone can benefit.

It is important to compete internationally through the innovation, design and science smarts within New Zealand’s gutsy small businesses – not through low wages.

One way we can do this is through innovation R&D.

Firms with a persistent R&D strategy outperform those without – yet our private sector spend on science and innovation R&D is only one third of the OECD average.

A research and development tax credit will mean new products and ideas to take to the rest of the world.

Another priority is education. To ensure high-value technologies are developed here by smart, creative New Zealanders, we need to invest in skills and education from early childhood to post-doctoral levels.

We’ve got some great ideas and smart companies – we just need to create an environment that will let them flourish. Companies like Nelson’s Snap Information Technologies should be our future. Their hi-tech 360-degree cameras and software are a potentially a world beating product.

They already have their cameras installed at two South Island skifields, and are making a big push into the US market.

New Zealand needs more of these kinds of smart, innovative companies and we need policies to encourage Kiwi innovation.

In August a talented industrial design graduate from Massey University, Nick Ross, won the New Zealand section of the international James Dyson Award for product design (see page 23).

His winning device harvests trees cleanly at ground level, avoids soil compaction and damage to neighbouring trees, and returns surplus nutrients to the ground for natural regeneration.

It’s a smart, clean, green, practical, appealing and marketable idea. No wonder it won.

Ross is currently in Sweden, talking to forestry manufacturers there about commercialising his product.

I wish he had had the opportunity to do that here.

Our wonderful young minds should not have to sell their design and ideas offshore to make a living.

Labour is developing a plan to connect the training, the R&D, the capital, the mentoring and the market development opportunities to facilitate the advancement of high growth potential businesses.

Manufacturing gets a bad rap in New Zealand. But there are other countries in the world – Germany, Japan and Switzerland spring to mind – where precision engineering, design and manufacturing are sources of national pride – and vast income.

I’m talking about ultra-modern, clean, green, high-tech, well-designed, precise: biotech, nanotech, cognitive science and ICT.

Making something where nothing existed before is the essence of creativity, and economic wealth. That’s the power of engineering and manufacturing.

Editor’s note: This is the first of an occasional series of policy statements and reports by Labour leader David Shearer that directly affect the engineering industry. Comments and articles within the magazine reflect reaction to the policies of the government of the day. As a result, it is helpful to gain some insight into the policies and changes planned by a potential government of the future.

Kiwi employees overqualified for current jobs

Forty percent of Kiwi employees feel overqualified for their current job, as revealed by specialist recruitment & HR services company, Randstad.

The Randstad Workmonitor Q3 2012, which surveyed employees from 32 countries including New Zealand, also found the New Zealand Mobility Index has significantly increased from 102 to 112 indicating that, compared to previous quarters, confidence is rising and more employees expect to be changing jobs in the next six months.

The global Mobility Index has also increased to 107, largely owing to better employment conditions (38 percent), personal desire for change (32 percent) and organisational circumstances (28 percent).

Director of Randstad New Zealand, Paul Robinson says that despite ongoing global volatility and the current economic challenges both in New Zealand and abroad, there is movement in New Zealand’s employment market.

“The changes and challenges in our economy mean skills shortages are still present or re-emerging in many industries, and finding the right people for the job in this market remains an issue for many organisations.

“The Randstad Workmonitor shows Kiwis are now actively looking for other roles and employers must be aware of the risk of losing their talent. As finding the right people with the right skills is proving ever difficult, there needs to be a renewed focus on retention and development of key staff.

“Recent reports have stated that business confidence has increased in New Zealand, with forecasts showing business conditions will improve over the next 12 months. This, together with a lift in consumer confidence, may be the reason for the recent increase in the Mobility Index, and renewed optimism.”

Mr Robinson says in talking to employees, genuine development opportunities, training and work-life balance play an increasingly large part in a successful employer-employee relationship.

“Clearly Kiwis are now searching for other opportunities, however there are internal factors that employers can focus on to help prevent this. Offering flexible work options and creating an individual career path that enables each employee to grow and develop their skill set will aid workplace retention.

“In other research we’ve conducted, the top reasons why people stayed with their employer were: feeling secure in their job, working for a financially stable organisation, good work-life balance, an opportunity for growth and being well matched to their job.

“Knowing what’s important to people and communicating these features and benefits to current and potential employees will assist with successful attraction, retention, engagement and management of talent in the workplace,” says Mr Robinson.

Hard to find the right talent

Globally almost 60 percent of respondents say their employer has difficulty finding the right person for the job. New Zealand is above the global average, with 65 percent of respondents stating this.

Finding highly qualified people is an issue for almost half of employers globally. In Greece, Italy, Spain and Denmark only a third of the employers face this problem with a lot of highly trained talent still available. In New Zealand, 52 percent of respondents found their employer had this problem.

Finding low skilled workers is not a big issue (27 percent on average), although more challenging in China (47 percent), Malaysia (39 percent) and Japan (35 percent). New Zealand is below global average at 22 percent.

Expected shortages

On average, 47 percent of respondents worldwide expect a shortage of highly qualified people within the next three years. These numbers run much higher in Hong Kong (67 percent), China and India (65 percent) and Malaysia (64 percent). Czech Republic (34 percent), the Netherlands and Denmark (33 percent) have less employees expecting a shortage of highly qualified staff. New Zealand perception was on par with the global results at 47 percent.

Although finding lower skilled workers seems less of an issue, 34 percent of employees globally and 33 percent in New Zealand still expect to see shortages in this segment within the next three years. China, Malaysia, Hong Kong and India (all between 50-60 percent) expect shortages of low skilled staff as well as highly qualified people.

Career opportunities

Overall, more than half of respondents state their employer invests sufficiently in additional training and education as well as career opportunities. In New Zealand, 63 percent of respondents stated their employer invests in training and education, with 56 percent stating they are offered sufficient career opportunities.

Exceptions are Japan (40 percent), Greece (39 percent) and Hungary (36 percent), where fewer employees believe their employer invests sufficiently in their development. The best career opportunities can be found in Hong Kong, India and Malaysia (73 percent). In Spain, Slovakia, Greece, and Hungary employees feel the investment in career opportunities is not sufficient.

Global Mobility Index up to 107

After a small dip the global Mobility Index increased to 107, indicating that compared to last quarter more employees expect to be changing jobs in the next six months. The index increased in Turkey, Argentina, Brazil and Hong Kong. The Mobility Index showed a significant increase in New Zealand to 112. Only in Poland expected mobility declined.

The number of employees actively looking for a new job has risen in China and Mexico. In New Zealand there’s been a shift from not actively to actively looking for a job. Reasons to look for a new job are: better employment conditions (38 percent), personal desire for change (32 percent) and organisational circumstances (28 percent).

Employee confidence: slight improvement

Confidence in finding a comparable job has increased in Luxemburg and Hong Kong and declined in Poland. Confidence in finding a different job has increased in France, Sweden and India and declined in Turkey. Significant fear of job loss has declined in several countries (the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico and Malaysia). But it has increased significantly in Hungary and Hong Kong. Moderate fear of job loss has increased in Turkey and Malaysia. Fear of job loss has increased to 20 percent this quarter, compared to 13 percent in Q2 2012.

Job satisfaction

As in previous quarters, employees from the Nordics are the most satisfied in Europe. For Sweden there is even an increase 65 percent to 75 percent. Belgium and Malaysia showed an increase in satisfaction as well. New Zealanders are on par with these attitudes coming out of Europe, with 70 percent of employees stating they are satisfied within their current roles.

Employees in Hungary, Spain and Greece are the least satisfied. Switzerland, the UK and Turkey showed a decline in level of satisfaction. Outside Europe, India and Mexico rank highest in satisfaction. Employees in Brazil are significantly less satisfied compared to last quarter.

Personal motivation

Italy, Luxemburg and France have the most ambitious employees in Europe. Compared with last quarter, employees in Germany, Turkey and Poland are less focused on promotion. Outside Europe, the most ambitious employees can be found in Mexico and India. Japanese employees are least focused on promotion. In New Zealand, 60% of respondents stated they are focused on getting a promotion.

For more information:
Visit: www.randstad.com/press-room/research-reports

University of Auckland develops cloud manufacturing technology

Researchers from The University of Auckland are developing cloud manufacturing technology to make it easier for New Zealand manufacturing companies to take on bigger projects and to share resources.

Project leader Professor Xun Xu, from the Faculty of Engineering, an expert in intelligent and interoperable manufacturing solutions, says cloud manufacturing can give businesses access to extra manufacturing capabilities.

“Cloud manufacturing allows a company’s resources to be packaged in a cloud for others to use. For example, a company may have a piece of machinery that is sitting idle for 50 percent of the time, which is a waste but if it were to hire that piece of machinery out by offering it as a cloud resource it could be used by another company. For both companies it’s a ‘win-win’ situation,” says Professor Xu.

The University’s Cloud Manufacturing Platform project, the first of its kind in New Zealand and one of only a handful in the world, will enable manufacturing companies to share resources such as manufacturing software tools, equipment and fabrication capabilities with other companies.

The technology, a computer and service related model which enables network access to a shared pool of manufacturing resources that can be quickly released with little management effort or service provider interaction, will make it easier for New Zealand manufacturing companies to collectively take on more substantial and complex projects, says Professor Xu.

“It’s a good fit for New Zealand companies because they tend to be small in size so it’s difficult for them to take on big projects. But with cloud manufacturing if projects are too big for them to handle alone they will be able to access resources from other companies or to partner with other businesses.”

Professor Xu says a cloud manufacturing platform can enhance a manufacturer’s capability, increase its competitiveness and productivity.

“A percentage increase in the total productivity of our manufacturing sector is estimated to add about $250 million to our country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” says Professor Xu.

The University is planning to run a pilot programme, with a number of New Zealand manufacturing companies, to test and further develop the technology later this year.

Involved in the research project are Dr Xinfeng Ye from the Faculty of Science, an expert in internet-based computing, and Professor Ananth Srinivasan, from the Business School, who is an expert in enterprise systems and architecture.

Professor Xu has been invited to address the 1st Annual World Conference on Cloud Computing (CloudCon-2012) which is held from 28-31 August this year in Dalian, China.

The project was developed under the University’s Innovative and Manufacturing and Materials (IMM) programme. Launched in August last year, IMM is designed to provide a single point of contact for manufacturing and materials related businesses or industry groups who are looking to tap into University expertise. More than 150 researchers from across the University are involved in the programme.

For more information:
Vaneesa Bellew, communications adviser
Phone: 09 923 8337 or 021 383 361
Email: v [dot] bellew [at] auckland [dot] ac [dot] nz

‘YouBike’ arrives on the rehab market

A New Zealand-developed bed and floor mountable exercise bike designed for cardiovascular exercise and rehabilitation is about to be globally unveiled at the RehaCare trade show.

Called ‘YouBike,’ the product is understood to be the first development of its type and is expected to be well received in the marketplace, says Venture Solutions’ Grant Marris.

“Primarily aimed at the paraplegic market, it willalso be useful for stroke sufferers, overweight people and the elderly,” says Mr Marris.

“Because of its lightweight construction (16kgs) it can be handled by one person and set up on a bed or on the floor. It can also be folded flat for easy storage under a bed or in a cupboard.

“This is definitely an international product, with a paraplegic market alone of more than 10 million people and the same sized market for stroke victims.”

Mr Marris says developing the YouBike has been a genuine team effort.

“Venture Solutions managed the project and also performed the marketing and sales roles - we designed the logos and supplied the vision of how we wanted the final product to look.

“The inventor, Clem Thorn, was consulted every step of the way, but he gave us 100 percent controlof the project.

“WelTec Connect’s involvement was to engineer the final product, as wellas using industrial design expertise to work out the final look and build the pre-production prototypes,” says Mr Marris. Venture Solutions’ Grant Marris sees the paraplegic market plus stroke victims being primary users of the YouBike

“As expected for a project which has entailed the design of a product from start to finish, there have been many ups and downs along the way.

“The biggest challenges arose in trying to get parts manufactured in New Zealand - we found it very difficult to have work completed here and within timelines required. Unfortunately this means the product will be manufactured offshore.

“Of course there were all the challenges of designing for looks but it also had to be able to be manufactured. We used high-definition renderings a lot to be able to get perspective and a feel for the look of the bike. Clem Thorn already built three different prototypes and we didn’t want to change the geometry of the bike, just the design and look – wanting something with a ‘wow factor’ – and we achieved this through many renderings and even a scaled 3D model,” says Mr Marris.

“The team is confident it has achieved everything that was targeted and has seen the ‘evolution’ a very good product for the international market.

“I would like to personally thank all the team at WelTec Connect. Without them this project would have never got this far so soon.

“This is a great collaboration, proving that you can launch a brand new product on the international stage in a very short time frame with the right people,” says Mr Marris.

Prior to the official unveiling at the RehaCare tradeshow in Dusseldorf, Germany on October 10, the YouBike will be unofficially ‘soft launched’ in New Zealand this month, with pre-sales available from that time.

For more information, contact
Penny Fairbrother, WelTec Connect
Email: penny [dot] fairbrother [at] weltecconnect [dot] co [dot] nz
Visit: www.weltecconnect.co.nz

Budget 2012 – An opportunity for innovation?

Commentary by Heavy Engineering Research Association Director Dr Wolfgang Scholz

National’s austerity budget continues with very few exceptions. But one exception is the increased spending allocated to R&D and innovation. So, is our industry amongst the few winners out of this year’s budget and if yes, what do we have to do to ensure that this opportunity is translates into much needed long-term success?

The current reality is that in a comparison with the average OECD nation New Zealand’s government spending in R&D is only just below the OECD average, and with this year’s boost it might be improved slightly. However, as shown in the graph, the more tell-tale figure is New Zealand’s industry research spending, where we are in last place and the only country where industry R&D spending is well below the percentage for government-funded R&D.

New Zealand is aspiring to emulate nations that have industry R&D spending significantly bigger than government R&D spending. In other words, industry by a large margin is leading research and not the government.

In these nations industry, R&D leadership is likely to happen through an existing R&D business culture and/or appropriate business conditions facilitated by the Government.

Therefore, it is generally accepted that for New Zealand to catch up economically, it has to increase industry R&D spending and, I would additionally argue, it has to get industry in the driver’s seat for new R&D investment.

So let’s have a look at the extra government innovation spending over the next 4 years:

$166 million to transform crown research institute IRL into an Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) with $76.1 million (or 46%) of capital funding and $90 million of operating funding
$60 million to support a series of National Science Challenges, which will seek innovative solutions to specific questions of national significance
$100 million additional funding for the Performance-Based Research Fund to support world-class research in New Zealand's universities with only $6.3 million extra earmarked for the next year
$59 million to boost funding for science and engineering courses. Funding rates for engineering degrees will be increased by 8.8 per cent and for science degrees by 2 per cent.

While I agree with Government that any increase in government spending in R&D is welcome and needed, I note that the new money is exclusively given to public sector research providers. As a result, this is increasing R&D spending power under public sector research leadership only. No new money seems to go into triggering innovation spending in industry.

As an industry sector, with a policy promoting broad-based transformational R&D incentives accessible to the average company we represent - such as R&D tax credits for the productive industry sector, we may lament the fact that not enough direct industry transformational stimulation is happening. But we have to be pragmatic and accept that under the current political and economic conditions, this is the best we can get and we need to put our full support behind the planned government measures.

The most significant new investment is going to the new Advanced Technology Institute with the intent to use the transformed CRI Industrial Research (IRL) Ltd to build up the manufacturing sector and create new opportunities for high-value products.

HERA has been asked for its view as to the ATI set-up and we have advised that the new organisation needs to be a servant of industry-driven innovation. The new corporate intent statement enforces this industry servant role and as a result, ATI’s key performance indicators have to be focused on what transformation is achieved in respect to innovation potential as a result of ATI’s work in industry and not at ATI.

Therefore, some of ATI’s KPI’s could read:

Following research projects with ATI – how many companies will have put a lasting product innovation and R&D strategy in place?
Did this lead to increased long-term company R&D spending? How many continue with self-funded R&D afterwards?
Did the partnering companies set up an R&D function? How many researchers transferred from ATI to staff the industry R&D function?
How much company owned IP was generated?
How many patents per year were generated? What has ended up as actual products?
What is the annual product added-value generated as a result of ATI involvement?
What industry co-funding has been achieved? Who is driving the research project – research provider or industry? Is there a shift towards industry drive?

In my view, for the Government getting ATI right as a tool for increased industry innovation is the most significant challenge for the new Super Minister, Steven Joyce and his merry team within the Ministry for Science and Innovation.

It is a major challenge indeed, considering that changing a science-led organisation into an industry service provider is as much a challenge than changing the industry R&D culture from doing very little R&D to being a driver of R&D.

Also, we have to query whether spending close to half of the allocated money to create the new ATI facilities is the right thing to do when all we need to focus on is to get short-to-medium term gains in industry getting products into the market, which are exported overseas and will boost our productive economy.

It was a pleasure meeting with the Minister last month and getting his assurance for driving the Heavy Engineering Research Levy Act Amendment through parliament – a step providing increased industry R&D spending without costing taxpayers money. I have great faith in him and offer the support of HERA to make the ATI transformation a success. To find out more, visit www.hera.org.nz

Marketing gives customers and clients a reason to do business with you

Engineering companies by nature tend to work in niche markets and are often already well known in their particular market. Do these companies really need marketing?

We often speak to companies in niche markets and engineering is certainly one of these. Often these will be companies that generate components for completed products and, for the most part, they are well known to their customers – what is known as a closed customer base.

The rule of thumb for marketing is: where there is competition there is marketing. If you are not the only option in your market, regardless of the industry, there is a need to stand out from your competitors. Marketing is the tool to help you do this.

In short, marketing gives customers and clients a reason to do business with you. It is not just about converting new clients – certainly that is an important aspect – but equally about retaining existing clients. Many businesses find that effective marketing has the potential to convert even contented customers from their competitors simply through increased brand exposure and communication of a key point of difference.

Innovative industries such as engineering and manufacturing are starting to realise the need for a strong marketing component in their business and increasingly generating successful campaigns. Nicole Crump

How does the marketing for consumer products compare to that of, say, a single component for a piece of heavy machinery?

The marketing mix we identify for clients with consumer offerings is vastly different to that of our engineering and manufacturing clients, and for the most part this comes down to the targeting of the message.

Because you are targeting the end user with business to consumer marketing, the message can be more easily distributed through mass media channels such as newspapers, television and even the online space. This approach is of little use to a company with a B2B offering, which requires its message targeted more towards specific influencers – CIOs, CFOs and buyers for example. The role of marketing in this case is to figure out how to best influence these people, generally through very personal activations/interactions. Media placement can also be effective in industry specific publications (you just happen to be reading one of your most relevant industry specific magazines now!)

Are there any common marketing pitfalls engineering firms tend to run into?

A lot of companies that deal with a less consumer, more business to business offering consider marketing to be an activity that can be channelled through non marketing staff such as a PA or a sales person. In our experience, this is particularly true of engineering and manufacturing companies which tend to focus more on the doing than the communicating.

Unfortunately this approach to marketing often lacks the strategy and planning required to make sure your marketing investment properly supports your business goals, which may see the budget wasted.

If your company plans to manage its own marketing, we recommend first compiling a detailed marketing plan and calendar for the coming year. This should outline the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, it should align with business objectives and tie in with sales targets. Also taken into account should be any market research, particularly around customer behaviour, competitor marketing and your company’s point of difference.

When most people think of marketing they tend to think of product brochures and the like. What other marketing tools are available and which are best suited to engineering companies?

The perception that marketing is all brochures and newspaper adverts is certainly not a new one. It is important for companies to understand the breadth that marketing encompasses to ensure they not only make the most of the opportunities available to them, but also that they do not hamstring the marketing efforts they do undertake.

For companies in small or niche markets that are planning on managing their own marketing, a good starting point is to review each element of your existing customer interactions with the goal of creating consistency.

Sit down as a team and review the customer process, giving an evaluation against each interaction. Ask yourself, what does the customer see, feel, do and find when they interact with your business?

Are you easy to contact? Are you communicating in the right places? When contacted, how is your phone manner? Does the website provide the right information? Is the product packaged professionally? Are all outgoing communications, including emails, direct mail and invoices, consistently branded? And, crucially, are each of these elements communicating the same message?

Of course, these are all aspects that should tie into a comprehensive marketing plan, and no changes should take place until they are weighed up against the marketing strategy and business goals.

How important is the online space for engineering companies?

In a word, crucial. The internet is often the first place clients and customers go to find out more about you, so managing the online space will form a large part of your customer’s perception of your business and brand.

With the growth of blogs, forums and rating sites, the internet is seldom an aspect of marketing you can control. It pays to Google your company name frequently to find out what people are saying about you and, where possible, respond to both positive and negative feedback. Setting up Google Alerts to give a free daily report on your company’s web mentions is a good way to stay on top of this, or even capitalise on a competitor’s dissatisfied customers.

What is under your control is your own website. All companies need a well presented website, whether it offers everything from online registrations to selling on line or just an online version of the company’s profile. These days, people expect a lot from a website, so it is important that yours deliver what your customers need. If you do not know what your customers want from your site, ask them.

Lots of companies have started to use social media for their organisation – is this a trend across all industries and, if so, is it the right fit for all industries?

While social media can be an extremely powerful marketing tool for some companies, it is not for everyone. Generally, consumer brands and those organisations looking to target the youth market have an easier path towards utilising the likes of Facebook and Twitter.

The key is to know where your current and potential customers hold conversations about your particular product. Yes, most will use social media personally, but this is not to say they use it to talk about your product or service. This is where marketing and market research can play a vital role in establishing whether your customers wish to hear from you in this space.

Each case is different, and while generally we wouldn’t recommend things like Facebook and Twitter for most engineering companies, there will always be the odd exception. Also, Linked In can be incredibly effective in developing working relationships with business influencers and we frequently put in place strategies for B2B companies that use this social media tool to its potential.

Nicole Crump is the director of Tactix Marketing Plans, specialists in fixed price marketing strategy planning.

For more information:
Visit: www.tactixnz.co.nz