Unitec & Rosebank Business Association Celebrate

Thursday 22 September 2011

Unitec and Rosebank Business Association Celebrate New Partnership

Unitec Institute of Technology and the Rosebank Business Association have thrown away the handbook on business and education sector partnerships, with the signing of a new memorandum of understanding.

The groundbreaking agreement - thought to be the first in the country between a tertiary education provider and a business association - will be celebrated at a special function today (Thursday 22 September).

The memorandum of understanding sets out shared goals for collaboration, and the establishment of a new joint venture to explore the potential for training and development, research and mentoring opportunities for 450-plus businesses located in the Rosebank Business Precinct.

"Tertiary providers and the business sector often work closely, but we believe the scope and intention of this new partnership redefines the potential of that relationship," says Unitec chief executive Rick Ede. "It is completely intended. Unitec has a pro-active strategy to work with key community, business and employer groups, in new and innovative ways, to fulfill our duty as a major contributor to the social and economic prosperity of our region. We are absolutely delighted to be on this journey with the RBA."

Says RBA chief executive Mike Gibson: "The new joint venture is an innovative and unique answer to the demands of modern business, and I look forward to exploring the ways in which our members can improve what we do, through this new partnership. I see benefits not just for those businesses immediately involved, but over time, the west and indeed the Auckland region."

The core work of the joint venture will be to provide business capability assessment for Rosebank businesses, to tailor training and development programmes, to support applied research projects, and to provide expert knowledge and mentorship, at both individual and strategic levels, from across the diverse range of programmes being taught at Unitec.

The management and governance board will have membership from both organisations, as well as from Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development, and local business leaders.

Like the RBA, which is based in the Whau area, Unitec has strong roots in west Auckland with two of its three main campuses in Mt Albert and Henderson. The student population is around 23,000, and programmes range from foundation level to post-graduate.

"The organisations are both well-established in west Auckland, and there is no doubt we have the expertise across a broad range of specialties to assist the business sector, whether it's in business capability, computing, or something like product design or engineering," says Dr Ede.

The Rosebank Business Precinct encompasses a 195-hectare area, with a mix of small to medium enterprises and larger organisations. The industrial zone has been identified as a significant site for growth in the Auckland Spatial Plan 2030, and is predicted to grow from over 7500 employees currently to more than 20,000.

Unitec will be in a position to support both existing business and new growth, and Mr Gibson says several projects have already been identified that are ripe for collaboration.

A $55,000 pilot research project on forecasting software, with collaboration between Passage Software Limited and a post-graduate computing student, demonstrates the value of research collaboration.

"Since the recession, most businesses have faced some testing challenges, and yet many have never had any formal education around best business practice, which might better equip them in the tough environment," says Mr Gibson.

"Even in a more clement economic climate, many New Zealand businesses are content to let the business tip along, owner-operator style. But how many are really pushing to their true potential, have a one to three year plan, or have ideas on how to strategically approach new and mostly overseas markets? The implications of this new joint venture on strategic thinking are genuinely exciting."

ENDS

© Scoop Media