Nelson Focus Forum findings

“The Nelson Focus Forum reinforced some key messages around regional opportunities, where to focus our efforts, and ways to ensure employment and training align with the best opportunities going forward,” says Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio.

Over 60 industry representatives and regional stakeholders were invited to attend the Forum, to discuss appropriate training and education for regional employment, last Friday.

It was held in the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) Arts and Media building, showcased for its leading architecture, design, fabrication, earthquake proofing and sustainability.

Berl Economics Chief Executive and key speaker, Amanda Lynn, talked about challenges with our current population cohorts, which sectors are showing to be more productive, opportunities in the primary sectors, the contribution of lifestyle attraction and tourism, and the vital importance of innovation in all activities undertaken.

Other speakers included Ifor Ffowcs Williams, Chief Executive Officer Cluster Navigators and Kobus Mentz, the Director ofUrbanism Plus. Smart Careers Director, Ross Sice spoke about the value of apprenticeships, and Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne spoke about the Connections Tasman youth program, as joint Chair of the steering committee.

NMIT Chief Executive Tony Gray and Director of Curriculum and Planning,Graham Bell, spoke on Networks of Learning and surveyed participants on potential uptake for Organisations of Learning. There was an overwhelmingly positive response that participants would pursue this further.

Nelson industry representatives gave a summary on the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities of their sector..

Key themes throughout the day were the need for regional leadership in long term sustainable strategy focused on innovation, opportunities through collaboration and clustering, and leveraging from the core five regional economic driver sectors.

Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency Chief Executive Bill Findlater says, the business entities we have in our region tend to be small SMEs with the inherent challenges SMEs face.

“There is significant opportunity in furthering the already well developed SME niche sectors such as engineering, natural products, developing the cycle trails and developing the region as the craft beer capital of New Zealand. The EDA continues to work with these groups and looks forward to further working with Council and industry to further realize the significant potential benefits.”

“Ensuring we attract and retain our 20 to 35 year olds is also crucial,” says Aldo. “This vital cohort of our population needs to have the right training and subsequent employment opportunities whereby they can add value to our key sectors, whilst earning appropriate income to support their families and future.”

“Going forward we will be looking at how Education, Employment, Enterprise, and Economy all work together through collaborative opportunities, all underpinned by innovation. Nelson is well positioned with a high percentage of participants in the Science, Research and Development sector which is essential to innovation,” says Bill.

“We look forward to updating people on our progress with these at the next Regional Economic Summit in June.”