Waikato software specialist Company-X co-founder and director David Hallett has been elected Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Creative representative of the Waikato Regional Skills Leadership Group.
The group was formed in June to identify and support better ways of meeting future skills and workforce needs in Hamilton and the Waikato. The group is part of a joined-up approach to labour market planning to see the workforce, education and immigration systems working together to better meet the differing skills needs across the country.
Functioning independently of nine other regional groups, with five more to come. The Waikato group is supported by a team of data analysts, advisors and workforce specialists at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Members are regional industry leaders, economic development agencies, and iwi, worker and government representatives, who will contribute their knowledge and local expertise.
“My vision in joining the Waikato Regional Skills Leadership Group is to help increase opportunities in the ICT and creative space for the newly unemployed and those who want to enter the fields,” Hallett said.
The Waikato Regional Leadership Group co-chair is Perry Group development director Lale Leremia. Leremia is also former chief executive of Arrow International and is a member of the Waikato Plan Leadership Group.
“Initially, we will be the eyes and the ears on the ground, and we will build on the significant work already completed by the Waikato Regional Labour Market Group”, Leremia said.
“Each region in New Zealand is facing their own unique set of challenges and I am pleased that the Government is keen to work with us as partners in the Waikato.
“Our group is well-networked across the region thanks to the active role that Te Waka, Waikato’s regional economic development agency, has already taken establishing a Regional Labour Market Strategy.”
Waikato Regional Skills Leadership Group members
Leremia and Hallett are serving on the Waikato Regional Skills Leadership Group alongside members from a diverse range of industries and backgrounds. Members are regional industry leaders, economic development agencies, and iwi, worker and government representatives, who will contribute their knowledge and local expertise.
They will be supported by a team of data analysts, policy advisors and workforce specialists at the Ministry of Business, Employment and Innovation.
They are: Federated Farmers Dairy Industry Group chair Chris Lewis, Longveld managing director Pam Roa, Fosters Group Ltd chief operating officer Nigel Sun, Tokoroa High School principal William Ford, Waikato, Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust operations manager Ellie Wilkinson, Dairy Workers Union organising director Tom Buckley, FIRST Union trade union official Jax Oldham, Te Waka strategic partnerships and projects manager Michelle Hollands and Regional Public Service Lead Te Rehia Papesch.
The group has the mandate to support the immediate response to the labour market impacts and disruption arising from COVID-19. It will also develop a workforce plan to ensure the Waikato has the right skills and workforce to seize local economic opportunities.
Education, welfare and immigration agencies will act on the groups’ advice to make sure the right skills are developed and available.
The groups inform, coordinate and create links with local initiatives that impact their region’s workforce supply.
“These groups were planned before the arrival of Covid-19 as part of a joined-up approach to labour market planning which will see our workforce, education and immigration systems working together to better meet the differing skills needs across the country”, said Minister for Employment Willie Jackson.
“This work is now more important than ever as Covid-19 is having a far-reaching impact on our regional labour markets. We have acted quickly to get these Groups going. They will help ensure we understand the impact that Covid-19 is having on jobs in Waikato and so can tailor the support provided.”