Regional Employment Summit Planned

Businesses and industry in Palmerston North, Tararua, Kapiti, Horowhenua and Wairarapa are being invited to a Regional Employment Summit to get a picture on what is happening in the current economic climate and what is likely to happen in the local economy.

The summit is being hosted by the four Economic Development Agencies, Vision Manawatu, Tararua District Council, Nature Coast Enterprise, Wairarapa Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Social Development and will be held at the Palmerston North Convention Centre on Monday 6 April 2009.

The purpose of the summit is to give business owners, industry and stakeholders an up to date picture of the global, national and local situation and the expectations and opportunities for our region.

Central Regional Commissioner Penny Rounthwaite said that staffing and employment issues are a key consideration for employers and businesses.

“New Zealand has had low unemployment and wide spread skills and labour shortages until very recently. Many employers have had to work hard to attract, train and retain good staff. Helping businesses explore employment solutions in this changing economic environment is one of our aims. There is no doubt that people are better off in work and our communities are better off without the long term social and fiscal costs that come from high unemployment.”

Information will also be provided on what services are available to support businesses so that they can make effective decisions about their staffing and business needs.

Tararua District Council’s Manager Community Development Troy Gerbich says, “many businesses are feeling the pinch but are unsure what if anything they can do about it. This is an opportunity to flesh out the local issues and consider some practical solutions to assist them making good business decisions during tough times,” he said.

The summit will be chaired by Elaine Reilly, Vision Manawatu’s Economic Development Agency Acting Chief Executive and the speakers are Mayor Jono Naylor and Dr Ganesh Nana, Chief Economist BERL.