DEVELOPMENTS

A Green Building on the White Continent

The colour of the new Scott Base may not be decided, but one thing is clear – the building will be green.

Antarctica New Zealand, together with the New Zealand Green Building Council, has developed a custom Green Star tool to measure the sustainability of the new Scott Base. 120 New Zealand businesses have been accepted into the Export Excelerator Programme designed to fast-track their global export plans. The EMA’s ExportNZ arm is fully funding 30 businesses, and partially funding 90 others with an aim to collectively increase annual export revenue by over $100 million over 12 months to help boost New Zaland’s economy. “Our Export Excelerator Programme is a fantastic initiative that connects Kiwi businesses with

engineering career

Six new unit standards in mechanical engineering have been launched today by industry training organisation Competenz. For the first time, students will be offered school-based Level 3 mechanical engineering unit standards, creating a solid pathway into mechanical engineering apprenticeships and other training programmes. Competenz CEO Fiona Kingsford says the new unit standards have been specifically designed for school students and schools environments, and their introduction will go some way to encouraging young people to explore training opportunities in

“Antarctica New Zealand is committed to minimising its environmental impact in Antarctica and upholding the principles of the Antarctic Treaty System,” says Antarctica New Zealand Chief Executive Sarah experienced exporters for invaluable mentoring,” says the EMA’s Chief Executive, Brett O’Riley. “The 120 Excelerators have been selected from New Zealand’s top exporting businesses that offer products and services in manufacturing, health tech, biotech, agri-tech, technology, pharmaceutical, innovation and food sectors,” he says. The Export Excelerator Programme pairs businesses with exporters who have already succeeded on a global scale to help tackle the challenges of global the industry; an industry that is experiencing record levels of skills shortages. It is estimated there will be more than 7,500 job openings across New Zealand in the mechanical engineering sector in the next five years. “The Level 3 unit standards have been developed in consultation with technology teachers and industry to ensure they are relevant and what industry needs now and in the future. Previously, students had an ‘engineering taster’ at Level 2. With the new Level 3, they can now deepen their knowledge and passion for engineering at Year 13 NCEA. “The new standards also will give students a better Williamson.

“We have chosen to have an independent review of the Scott Base redevelopment so that we can maximise the opportunities to design, construct and operate the new base in an efficient and sustainable way.” Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, and driest continent on the planet. The new sustainable accreditation scheme for the rebuild factors in the harsh realities of building and operating in the Antarctic environment. Antarctica New Zealand is aiming for a five-star, New Zealand excellence, rating. “An independent accreditation of sustainable design and construction is a key requirement of the redevelopment project. This validates the commitment Antarctica New Zealand has to protecting the environment”, says Simon Shelton, Scott Base Redevelopment Senior Project Manager. “The new Green Star custom tool encourages the use of more sustainable materials, reduced waste, and more efficient systems designed to lower energy use. It promotes practices that would lower the new base’s contribution to climate change and enhances the health and wellbeing of the people living and working at Scott Base, some for up to 13 months

NZ businesses secure funding for fast-tracking global growth

before returning to New Zealand.” expansion with others. Key areas where businesses already in the programme find most useful include: capitalising on opportunities; avoiding common mistakes; challenging assumptions; and providing access to a community of like-minded business owners for advice and support. The opportunity created for these 120 export businesses through the programme is thanks to Air New Zealand Cargo, Westpac Institutional Bank,

Secondary school students given opportunity to build

Ports of Auckland, BDO and Zespri. understanding of the trade and the industry, and hopefully result in an uptake of apprenticeship opportunities when they leave school,” says Ms Kingsford. The six new unit standards developed by Competenz are supported with a suite of resources for high school technology teachers. Competenz has also launched three new Level 2 standards. The three unit standards at each level together equal 18 credits. The new unit standards at both Level 2 and Level 3 comprise theory-based drawing, a machining component and a fabrication component.