Careers NZ Summit
AUT University recently played host to the Careers NZ Summit at their Manukau Campus. The theme of the Summit was “Improving economic growth through connecting education, business and industry”. Discussion focused on addressing the gap that exists, particularly for young people, between education, training and skills development, employment and the needs of employers in Auckland.
In attendance were Auckland-based education and employment stakeholders, including representatives from central and local government, education and community organisations and business leaders. The Summit was opened by Hon Hekia Parata, Minister for Education, and included presentations from high-profile education and employment sector speakers, such as Fuji Xerox New Zealand Managing Director, Neil Whittaker, and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Chief Executive, Brett O’Riley. During a series of break-out sessions attendees contributed their views, creative ideas and solutions – the outcomes of which will form an action plan for an on-going programme of work.
Vital to the success of the Summit is the constructive feedback received from participants, which will lead to action and follow-up from Careers NZ. The focus, actions and outcomes from the Summit have a strong correlation with what we do at AUT and we will continue to actively work with Careers NZ in furthering their goal of closing the gap between education and employer requirements.