Welcome to the November iskills newsletter
Please find below the latest update from the iskills team. We are in the final quarter of our financial (calendar) year and we are looking to have had another significant growth year. Two main areas of growth have been certification of telecommunication workers and implementation of our Workforce Management product which is a worker competency management solution.
Planning for 2023 is commencing and we expect to be bringing product enhancement to our clients and creating some efficiencies with our services too. We are developing a suite of online refresher training modules for high-risk work activity. This will be a cost-effective alternative to face-to-face training and provide easier access to training for remote workers.
Worker safety is at the core of everything we do whether it’s through our products, training, or other professional services, and we are always looking for ways to do things better.
Warm regards,
Sharon Macquarie
Head of Global Training
iskills/Avetta at the EEA Conference
This year we attended and exhibited at the EEA conference for the first time. It was a real delight to connect with our electricity industry family over the three days. We enjoyed showcasing our training and competency management services but also to promote the Tōtika pre-qualification scheme.
Earlier this year, iskills joined the Tōtika cross-sector health and safety pre-qualification scheme as a provider.
Tōtika uses an online central registrar to provide one common standard for pre-qualification, cross-recognition, and external assessment and certification.
Tōtika is based on a standard developed by CHASNZ and was initially focused on the construction sector, however, there has been growing support from other industries. Clients that support the platform, like Downer, Kiwirail, Fonterra, Fletcher Construction, multiple councils and many more see the benefit in contractors and suppliers only need to complete pre-qualification assessments once, instead of duplicating efforts for multiple clients. The protocol collects compares and verifies contracting company documents to specific standards, providing a single source of independent verification.
The benefit of using the iskills pre-qual offer is that once the company is in our system we can assist contractors to manage worker competency in the same platform. This then also allows contractors to provide their clients visibility into the qualifications and safety training of their workers on site.
Congratulations to our Graduates!
Our Trainee Co-ordinators Louise, Leonie, Bronwyn and Rebecca have had a busy year working with Universal Communications Group learners to achieve the New Zealand Certificate in Telecommunications Level 3.
As you can see from the picture above, we are now seeing the results of months of hard work with certificates rolling in for recent graduates.
Learners enrolled in iskills qualification programmes, which includes the Telecommunications qualification, receive added benefits such as full support from our Trainee Co-ordinators while being assisted by a qualified and experience Telco assessors. This support, sometimes known as “pastoral care”, includes personal service with regular contact by the Trainee Coordinator, on site visits, communication with the trainee manager/supervisor, support with license and regulatory body documentation and stakeholder reporting.
Congratulations to all the graduates and the iskills team, great results.
Why Join the NZ Telecommunications Industry?
At iskills we are privileged to work with all the major players in the NZ telecommunications sector such as Chorus, Vodafone, Downer and UCG, and plenty of the minor players too. We build competency frameworks, in-field assessments and provide safety training services, competency management and apprenticeship programmes. We love all things telecommunications and the industry offers a great career option for people.
We know there is currently a drive to attract new talent to the sector and why wouldn’t young people want to join – there is the opportunity to work anywhere in NZ, with a variety of work and it is a futureproof career where workers are supported with learning new technologies beyond their initial apprenticeship.
What does the sector provide New Zealanders?
- Telecommunications links people, enabling the flow of ideas and information.
- It connects markets, enables new technologies and is becoming increasingly essential for accessing key services such as education, health, financial, and government services.
- The impact of COVID-19 highlighted both the importance of telecommunications connections and the barriers faced by those without them. As the world moves increasingly online, the disadvantages faced by those who don’t have access to telecommunications services becomes even greater.
Telecommunications is an industry where there are pathways from technician to leadership roles with many of the organisations within the sector. There are a variety of skills, knowledge and work environments as outlined below.
Working conditions are varied and telecommunications technicians:
- usually work regular business hours, but may also work evenings and weekends as required, and be on call – but are paid accordingly.
- work indoors in workshops, offices, homes and telephone exchanges, and outdoors at various urban and remote sites.
- may work at heights, in confined spaces, and will operate a variety of plant and equipment
- may travel locally or nationwide for project work.
Telecommunications technicians need to be:
- practical, quick and efficient
- accurate, with an eye for detail
- responsible, alert and safety-conscious
- good at problem solving
- good communicators
- able to work well in a team and on their own.
Ask us about our apprenticeship programme where technicians can specialise in copper, fibre or transmission networks (or all of the above). We provide full support with on-job components and access to mentors throughout.
Telecommunications Trainee of the Year
Congratulations to Jack Conchie from Downer who was recently awarded the Telecommunications Trainee of the Year 2022 at the Connexis Excellence Awards.
Jack has been training with iskills as he worked towards the New Zealand Certificate in Telecommunications Level 3, recently graduating.
Our team really enjoy seeing learners cross the finish line and achieve fantastic results like this. Not only did Jack complete his NZ Certificate in Telecommunications while working, but being awarded Telecommunications Trainee of the Year as well is the icing on the cake. Congratulations Jack, and congratulations to the iskills team who worked with Jack.
TRAINER/ASSESSOR – TELECOMMUNICATIONS
We are industry leader in training and competency management across infrastructure and utilities sectors in New Zealand.
Are you based in Tauranga, Wellington or Auckland and can travel throughout NZ?
Wanting a change? Give us a call! You’ll be part of a great (and fun!) team.
We need a team member who has:
- A training qualification and/or relevant training in the Telecommunications sector
- An understanding of adult learning
- Other skills but we can talk about those
In return we offer:
- A competitive salary package
- A company vehicle
- A positive company culture and a great team
Call or text Dale Wilson, Operations Manager, Ph 021 307 271.
#Avettagives Community Good
The iskills team have been busy in the community, recently donating time helping out community appeals as part of our #Avettagives Community Programme.
Some of the team joined the 2022 Pink Ribbon Appeal helping to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ around Mount Maunganui. Donations help keep the breast cancer research, education and patient support programmes running. Thank you to everyone who helped or donated.
Other iskills team members could be found donating blood at the NZ Blood Service. New Zealand needs over 4000 donations every week, so every donation counts! Our team have started regular blood donations, did you know one blood donation can save up to 3 lives? Get more information here.
New solutions trialled for refresher training in Working at Heights
The iskills team have been working on developing new solutions for Working at Heights refresher training. We recently completed a trial using a two staged approach:
- Two Telco technicians in Tauranga completed e-learns developed by iskills to refresh the theory component of WTC3 working at heights. Feedback from them was that the e-learns were very user friendly, relevant to the work they do and practical.
- We then went into the field and carried out an infield assessment with an iskills assessor/ trainer via an app that is part of our Workforce solution. The app has a built-in check list and prompts for the assessor to check that the worker is demonstrating the required tasks. The assessor can take photos and make voice recordings as well as rating the worker to record the demonstration of competency. The outcome of the assessment is linked to our competency management system automatically.
Outcome of the trial
Overall, the feedback about the 2-step process was very good. The Technicians who completed the eLearn’s found them relevant, user friendly and practical.
Feedback about the on-job infield assessment was very positive with the benefits noted as:
- Entirely paperless system
- No requirement for employees to go off job to complete refresher training
- E-learns can be done during down time, bad weather etc
- The in field assessment was fast, effective, and efficient
- More cost effective with time and money saved
We will have more information about this training soon – watch this space!
FM Summit
Members of the iskills team, Marie Lockwood, Dennis McErlane and Elin Nilsson recently attended the FM summit 2022.
iskills manage FM worker competency requirements in the Facilities Management sector for over 700 Downer employees, providing an end to end service that ensures that FM workers are competent, contributing to safety in the workplace. The Summit was a great opportunity to discuss and gain insight into key issues and opportunities in the sector now and in the future.
The two-day programme featured industry leaders and guest keynote speakers who explored this year’s ‘Fit for Purpose’ | ‘Te hāngai ki te tino whāinga’ theme. Sharing their experience and expertise, they addressed the vital question – What do we need to do to ensure the facilities we manage, the FM industry and FMs as individuals are fit for purpose, now and in the future?
The event was hosted by award-winning entertainer Pio Terei who was highly entertaining and held during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and Te Reo Maori was incorporated throughout the entire summit.
There were a great group of diverse presentations with a good focus on wellbeing/mental health. To mention a few presentations that stood out:
John Kirwan and the Groov team were a favourite presentation with a great focus on mental wellbeing. The Groov team were insightful and had a really good way to make you stop and think not only about yourself but about those around you.”
Barry Smart from Downer NZ took us on a journey of the Auckland City Rail link and passionately talked about creating fit for purpose FM solutions throughout this amazing project
Steve Sullivan delivered a fascinating presentation around FM challenges in the “behind the scenes Scott Base redevelopment
Our very own Dennis won the strong man competition winning a fit bit by demonstrating his strength and technique!
Overall this was a great FM Summit, the organisers knocked it out of the park and we came away feeling inspired and enriched. We hope to be back next year for more thought provoking insights.
We offer training opportunities throughout New Zealand. If you are interested in attending one of our short courses or need a tailored solution for your business give our friendly team a call.