EC2 - New Zealand Herald July 2014 | Page 6

6\r\n\r\nSKILLS & TRADE\r\n\r\nFreedom to roam\r\nThe OE is deeply engrained in the kiwi psyche. So how do employers cope when a valued\r\nstaff member resigns to travel the world? By Helen Davies\r\n\r\nForward thinking companies are avoiding skill shortages by allowing workers to\r\ntravel and work remotely.\r\nOne solution is that you keep them on\r\nas a flexible contractor. Envivo Planning,\r\nSurveying and Engineering have done just\r\nthat. When Andre Menzies handed in his\r\nnotice a few months ago the timing couldn’t\r\nhave been worse. “We were incredibly busy\r\nwith new projects coming in and current\r\njobs expanding in scope,” says engineering manager Chris Shortt. “We had already\r\ntaken on new staff and they’re working to\r\n\r\ncapacity, it’s a busy time. We are still trying\r\nto recruit more senior engineers, they’re certainly in high demand right now. We offered\r\nAndre flexible hours to do his job at times\r\nand places that suited him and his travels;\r\ninitially finishing off land developments that\r\nhe was already familiar with and now we’re\r\nwork ing on numerous new projects.\r\n“It has been brilliant for us as we can\r\nsend him an email in Europe at the end of\r\n\r\nthe day, by the time we come in the next\r\nmorning the completed work is in my inbox\r\nand ready to send to the client.”\r\nAs a civil engineer Andre has the advantage of being able to work remotely on his\r\nlaptop anywhere in the world. Instead of\r\nlooking for temporary work in each country\r\nhe has a flexible part-time job with Envivo\r\npaying professional rates. Casual work,\r\nsuch as bar tending, is often minimum\r\nwages and it takes time to find a role. In\r\ncontinuing to work for Envivo Andre has\r\na well-paid alternative that fits in with his\r\nlifestyle and is rewarding as he sees engineering schemes completed and hears\r\nfeedback of satisfied clients.\r\nAndre said, “I’m overseas visiting places\r\nI’ve never seen and I’m having a ball. I’m\r\nalso working at my usual job (although\r\nreduced hours) and keeping my income\r\nwhich is working really well. We have a\r\ngreat engineering team and I enjoy staying\r\nin touch with them, collaborating on projects\r\nand working where and when suits me. I’m\r\nin Abingdon (UK) at the moment. I’m going\r\nto Oxford later today for a spot of shopping\r\nthen a round of golf just outside of town.”\r\nThere are also considerable business\r\nbenefits. Envivo retains a highly-skilled\r\n\r\nresource and helps to deliver client projects on-time, in keeping a valued staff\r\nmember they will re-employ him full-time\r\non his return to New Zealand. At this point\r\nthe timing for Andre’s return is a complete unknown.\r\nFlexible working is all about working\r\nfrom wherever you are; whether that’s on\r\na train, a beach, in a café or at a hotel. By\r\nmaking the best use of technology Envivo\r\nhas found an ideal solution to a shortage\r\nof engineers.\r\n\r\nCivil\r\nEngineer\r\nAndre\r\nMenzies\r\nworks while\r\nundertaking\r\nhis OE.\r\n\r\nGain a qualification that will get you a job\r\n\r\nCookery & Hospitality\r\n28 weeks: starts 1 September 2014\r\nThis programme introduces students to the culinary and\r\nhospitality world. Modules include:\r\n• Cookery\r\n• Spirits & Cocktails\r\n• Coffee & Barista\r\n• Restaurant Service\r\n• International & NZ Wines\r\n• Superyacht interior\r\n• Work experience\r\n• Food safety & LCQ\r\nGraduates can then choose from this range of skills when\r\napplying for jobs in New Zealand and overseas.\r\n\r\nYou call us for help\r\n\r\nPerfect for school leavers, young people entering the\r\nworkforce and anyone new to hospitality!\r\nNZQA approved student loans & allowances available\r\n\r\nStart your career in wine!\r\n\r\nProfessional Wine Knowledge\r\n(Sommelier)\r\n12 weeks: starts 1 September 2014\r\nIdeal for people employed in the hospitality industry,\r\nstudents who are new to wine, as well as wine\r\nenthusiasts who wish to learn about wine and\r\nspirits. Through a well structured programme, you\r\ngain internationally recognised WSET qualifications.\r\n•\r\nNZ Wines & regions\r\n•\r\nInternational wines & regions\r\n•\r\nWinemaking & viticulture\r\n•\r\nStorage & practical wine service\r\n•\r\nFood & wine pairing\r\n\r\nCall us for training too\r\n\r\nNZQA approved student loans &\r\nallowances available\r\n\r\nCelia Hay, Director [email protected]\r\nLevel 3, 104 Customs Street West, Viaduct, Auckland 1010\r\nwww.foodandwine.co.nz | T: +64 9 377 7961\r\n\r\nBecoming a competent first aider is more than just getting a certificate. St John First Aid\r\nTraining has the widest range of courses from First Aid Level 1, to Advanced Resuscitation.\r\nWe provide Refresher courses, and comply with NZQA requirements. More importantly\r\nthough, our convenient classes are held by experts with real field experience. Paramedics\r\nand event volunteers are our teachers because we know that first aid is more than an\r\nacademic exercise, it can make the difference between life and death.\r\n\r\nstjohn.org.nz/First-Aid\r\n\r\n0800 FIRST AID\r\n\r\nNew Zealand\r\nAPN\r\nCareer\r\nCareers\r\nEmployment\r\nTraining\r\nEducation\r\nStudents\r\nDigital Media\r\nBachelor of Digital Media\r\nSouthern Institute of Technology\r\nThe Learning Connexion\r\nSchool of creativity and Arts\r\nDiploma of Art and Creativity\r\nSkills and Trade\r\nCareer Jump Start\r\nCTC Aviation\r\nLaunch your careers as a professional pilot\r\nServilles Academy\r\nA future in hairdressing\r\nFreedom to roam\r\nNew Zealand School of Food and Wine\r\nCookery and Hospitality\r\nSt Johns\r\nFirst Aider\r\nProfessional Wine Knowledge\r\nUpgrade to a new IT career\r\nComputer Power Plus\r\nIT training specialists\r\nTertiary\r\nMassey University\r\nThe engine of New Zealand\r\nMoney Sense\r\nBecome a Veterinary Nurse\r\nVet Nurse Plus\r\nNew Zealand College of Chiropractic\r\nIndependent\r\nPPTA\r\nLaidlaw College\r\ndiploma in theology\r\ndegrees in theology\r\nHITO\r\n\r\n