Latest news with #SkillsGroup
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Skills Group Urges Electricians To Complete Mandatory Solar Work Training
With new Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) licence requirements taking effect from 1 September, Skills Group is urging electricians to complete mandatory training to legally work on solar systems in New Zealand. Director of Trades School at Skills Group Di Lithgow says with only weeks remaining before the rules change, now is the critical window for electricians to get certified. From 1 September, electricians must hold a Mains Parallel Generation Systems Licence Endorsement to undertake any grid-connected solar installations. The change reflects the additional safety considerations when working on these types of systems. 'Solar is one of the fastest-growing segments of the energy sector,' says Di. Electricity Authority data shows more than 43,000 solar systems have been installed across New Zealand, with demand expected to rise as installation costs fall and commercial uptake grows. 'We're urging electricians who haven't yet secured the appropriate endorsement to act quickly and enrol in one of our accredited courses.' To support the industry, E-tec, a Skills Group provider, offers a NZQA-accredited Solar Micro-credential Series, developed in collaboration with industry and endorsed by the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ). These flexible, part-time courses cover both the theoretical and practical competencies required for the new endorsement and include grid-connected photovoltaic systems, grid-connected battery storage systems, and stand-alone power systems. Each course combines self-paced online learning with hands-on block training at E-tec's Auckland campus. They meet the endorsement requirements set by the EWRB and give tradespeople the tools to futureproof their skills in a rapidly evolving energy market. Di Lithgow says, 'Don't wait until it's too late. Whether you're already working in solar or want to move into this high-demand field, now is the time to act.'
RNZ News
11-08-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Post-harvest horticulture workforce will need to develop new skills, report finds
A recent report looked at current horticultural qualifications and opportunities for further training in the workforce. Photo: RNZ As new technologies see the horticulture sector become increasingly automated, its post-harvest workforce will need to develop new skills. A recent report prepared by the Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence and Skills Group, looked at current horticultural qualifications and opportunities for further training in the workforce. It found the horticultural sector faced seasonal spikes in workforce demand, with relatively low barriers to entry - most roles in the post-harvest sector don't require formal qualifications, with the industry instead prioritising experience. Many of these employees gain experience while working which can lead on to greater career opportunities and training as they progress. In addition to permanent staff the sector also relies on travellers, both younger backpackers and increasingly 'grey nomads', or older, often retired adults who travel in caravans or motorhomes. While this helps meet the seasonal demand, it presents challenges as post-harvest processes become increasingly automated and specialised. Report author Tracey Harkness described the post-harvest period as "critically important" to New Zealand's growing horticulture sector, with export revenue forecast to increase by 19 percent to $8.6 billion by next year. "It's the most important aspect because you've got these growers that have put time and effort into growing fruit and getting it off the tree or out of the ground at the best time, but then it's how it's handled after that, that's critical to how the fruit or vegetable is presented to the marketplace." She said the horticulture sector was rapidly adopting advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics to improve efficiency and reduce reliance on manual labour. This would require a skills shift in the years to come. For example, kiwifruit marketer Zespri has been advancing its digital transformation through the $160 million Horizon Programme. This includes using AI-powered tools for grower enablement, as well as a mobile inspection tool which sets the stage for future AI-based quality assessments. "Packhouses, and they have to be big enough to afford the technology, can improve the quality of produce that goes out to market by using automation. The cost savings are quite huge once they get past the initial investment. I think where the skills shift is having people that know how to operate those machines or understand logistics or supply chain management, or the export or domestic market." Harkness found that while many businesses, particularly larger corporates, have invested in both technology and training, smaller and independent operators often struggle to access affordable, consistent, and industry-aligned training. This resulted in uneven training delivery across the sector. Larger businesses had more success as they could access vendor support and internal expertise, while smaller players lacked the same support and resources. Additionally, she found that current training combined formal qualifications, vendor-led instruction, and on-the-job learning, but gaps remained in role-specific, hands-on, and standardised programmes that aligned with the "increasingly sophisticated" technologies used in modern packhouses and cool stores. Without standardised, targeted training these issues would persist. She said as technology continues to change, working with the industry was key so that training providers could make sure qualifications fit the skills needed now. Recommendations in the report included: Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
24-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Survey finds increasing number of New Zealand graduates aim to be business owners
The survey found entrepreneurship to be a recurring theme among graduates in beauty, health, trades and community services. Photo: 123RF An increasing number of vocational school graduates are looking to set-up shop rather than find a job. Independent research by private training school, Skills Group, indicates business ownership ranks among the most common long-term ambitions for the graduates. "With over 40 percent seeing business ownership as a short to long-term goal, and almost 7 percent already preparing to launch immediately, the entrepreneurial pipeline is strong," Skills Group director Mark Worsop said. "They are courageous and thinking strategically about how their qualifications can best serve them, not just in the job market but as entrepreneurs, leaders and independent professionals." The survey of more than 1,200 of New Zealand's graduating students found entrepreneurship to be a recurring theme, particularly among graduates in beauty, health, trades and community services. "With over 600,000 small businesses in New Zealand, we really need to nurture and support young talent as they prepare to blaze a trail - contributing to both local economies and the overall GDP of the country," Worsop said. He said there was a need for qualifications that supported small business development, including enterprise education, mentoring and support systems to help aspiring business owners move from intention to action. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
National Survey Shows Remote Learners Lead In Career Confidence
Learners who studied remotely are emerging as the most confident group when it comes to their future careers, according to new national research published by Skills Group. The 2025 The Learner Outlook Aotearoa, New Zealand survey, published by Skills Group, included responses from learners across Skills Ignite, Skills Premier, Etco, E-tec, and ICE. The Learner Outlook Aotearoa, New Zealand survey, based on responses from over 1,200 of its graduates across Skills Ignite, Skills Premier, Etco, E-tec, and ICE. It reveals that distance learners consistently report higher-than-average confidence in both their future prospects and career progression, outperforming those who studied on campus. Mark Worsop, Skills Group Director of Vocational Training and Higher Education, highlighted that while only 13% of the 1,200+ surveyed were distance learners, this group consistently reported higher levels of career confidence than any other. 'When it came to career progress, distance learners stood out,' Mark says. 'They gave an average confidence rating of 4.1 out of 5 - the highest across all learner groups - indicating that they saw strong value in the qualifications they had earned.' This trend extended beyond self-assurance. Distance learners were also the most optimistic about the job market, with an average score of 3.7 out of 5. This suggests not only high confidence in their own skills, but also a strong belief in the employment relevance of their training - underscoring the growing legitimacy and impact of remote and flexible learning pathways. 'These results clearly challenge any outdated perceptions about online study being less effective or less valuable,' Mark says. 'In fact, learners engaging through distance modes are showing the strongest belief in the relevance of their qualification to real-world outcomes.' The findings are particularly relevant in today's post-pandemic, mobile workforce and education landscape, where hybrid and remote learning options have become increasingly mainstream. Explaining the results and learner confidence, Mark says that Skills Group was increasingly finding that distance and online learners are making a deliberate and conscious choice to study this way. 'They fully understand as learners what the commitment entails which is carrying through to their post qualification confidence. 'This is a clear signal that flexible education is not only viable - it's empowering,' Mark says. 'For working adults, parents, and those in regional areas, distance learning is opening up meaningful pathways to upskilling and career advancement.' The report sets a baseline for an ongoing longitudinal study to track learner outcomes over time and inform education policy and workforce development efforts across New Zealand. *About this study: DATA COLLECTION The research was undertaken to the highest possible standards and in accord with the principles detailed in the RANZ Code of Practice which is based on the ESOMAR Code of Conduct for Market Research. This report was prepared by SIL Research for SKILLS. A total of 1,206 graduates participated in the survey, drawn from across Etco, ICE, Skills Ignite and Skills Premier. This sample size allows the results to be reported with a margin of error of ±2.82% at the 95% confidence level when responses are evenly split (50/50), and ±2.26% when responses are more polarised (80/20).
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
New Skills Survey Reveals Strong Career Confidence, With Younger Graduates Lagging Behind
A nationwide learner outlook survey has revealed high confidence among recent graduates about their future and career progression but also shows that school leavers are significantly less certain about their next steps. The 2025 The Learner Outlook Aotearoa, New Zealand survey, published by Skills Group, included responses from learners across Skills Ignite, Skills Premier, Etco, E-tec, and ICE. It found that 63% of learners feel very or extremely confident about their future. Skills Group Head of Marketing and Communications Michael Pryor says confidence in qualifications supporting career progression was similarly strong, with 62% expressing high or extreme confidence. 'However, confidence was not evenly distributed,' Michael says. 'Younger learners aged 17 and under consistently reported the lowest levels of certainty across all key measures - future outlook, career progression, and job market perception. This group averaged a confidence in qualification for career progression rating of just 2.6 out of 5, compared to 3.7 among learners aged 25–54. 'However, the findings are encouraging overall as they show that the majority of graduates believe in the value of their qualifications. But the data also tells us we need to do more to support school leavers as they transition into the workforce or further education.' The report highlights a need for earlier and clearer career guidance, particularly to help younger learners connect their study choices with real-world opportunities. Other key findings include: Distance learners reported the highest overall confidence in both future outlook and career value. Most learners had medium-term plans (1–3 years), with business ownership and overseas work ambitions more common in the long term. While job market perceptions were generally positive, younger learners and Māori respondents expressed more uncertainty than average. The survey collected responses from 1,206 graduates who completed qualifications through the Skills Group between 2023 and 2024. It will form the baseline for a new annual longitudinal study tracking learner outcomes and perceptions over time. 'Understanding where learners are confident and where they're not gives us the insight we need to close the gaps - particularly for younger New Zealanders just beginning their career journey,' Michael says. Notes: Research is undertaken to the highest possible standards and in accord with the principles detailed in the RANZ Code of Practice which is based on the ESOMAR Code of Conduct for Market Research. This report was prepared by SIL Research for SKILLS. A total of 1,206 graduates participated in the survey, drawn from across Etco, ICE, Skills Ignite and Skills Premier. This sample size allows the results to be reported with a margin of error of ±2.82% at the 95% confidence level when responses are evenly split (50/50), and ±2.26% when responses are more polarised (80/20).
