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In this Issue
Thank Your Cleaner Day Today!
Dyslexia Awareness Month

Workforce Development Council Survey
Health & Wellbeing Qualifications Approved
Welcome to your Careerforce October update
Kia ora

Welcome to the latest issue of Skills for Good. As the end of the year fast approaches, our focus remains on monitoring trainee activity rates. If you are aware that your trainees may be lagging behind where they should be, we would welcome an opportunity to have a discussion about how we can support you. Feel free to email me at andrew.saunders@careerforce.org.nz or contact your local Careerforce representative. In this issue, we encourage you to have your say in both the Workforce Development Council survey, and in our annual employer survey, with an invite for the latter being sent out early November. Your feedback is very important to us.


Andrew Saunders
General Manager, Employer Services

Have Your Say on the Establishment of Workforce Development Councils
As this email gets sent out, we are running a series of stakeholder consultation events across the country to seek your feedback on the establishment of Workforce Development Councils (WDCs), a key part of the overall vocational education reforms (RoVE). You can find all the details here, including a link to a survey (closes 22 October) – Minister Hipkins has emphasised the importance of these WDCs being industry led, and it is important that you take the opportunity to have your say on how your industry's future workforce skills needs will be met.

Thank Your Cleaner Day - 16 October
International Thank Your Cleaner Day (TYCD) is today, Wednesday 16 October, and Careerforce is an official sponsor.

We applaud the fantastic and often unappreciated and unseen work that
New Zealand’s cleaning workforce do day in, day out. This is their day, and we thank them.

These aren’t just empty words, and we trust you agree with the sentiment. We’ll be doing a shout-out to our cleaners across our three offices, and we encourage you to do likewise - perhaps leave a note of appreciation on your desk on the day, or do a shout-out if you’re still in the office when they come through.
Paul Williams, General Manager Marketing & Communications presenting a TYCD giftbox to the Wellington Careerforce office cleaner, Hailu Worfineh, from Kleenrite
Careerforce partnership with Yale reveals need for changes to mental health service provision
Insights from Yale organisers and programme participants

Earlier this year, Careerforce announced it was partnering with the Yale University Program for Recovery and Community Health.
We sought emerging leaders with lived experience including mental health and addiction, to participate in the LET(s)Lead Academy, a transformational leadership development programme.


Rod Bentham, General Manager of Learning Solutions at Careerforce says "The sector identified a need for leadership training for people with lived experience and the Yale programme looked ideal for this."

The nine month programme consists of a 10-week seminar series followed by four months of project work, including monthly meetings and monthly mentoring sessions offered in an online "virtual classroom" setting.  The nine New Zealand candidates selected for the programme have now completed the first phase of the program and Careerforce is following their progress along the journey. Candidates are expected to complete their projects by the end of the year.

They share their experience of the programme so far.

https://www.careerforce.org.nz/rugby-player-strives-to-become-better-leader-for-pasifika-with-disabilities/
Reviewed Health and Wellbeing qualifications now approved by NZQA
"We are pleased to share the great news to our stakeholders that the reviewed health and wellbeing qualifications are now approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)," says Rod Bentham, General Manager Learning Solutions at Careerforce.

The reviewed NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 2) and NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) went through with minor changes. The most notable change is on the Level 4 qualification. NZACA members strongly recommended that the Level 4 qualification be updated to reflect the level of skills now required of the workforce to support more complex conditions.

The NZQA has approved the replacement of the NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Advanced Support) (Level 4) by a new 120-credit qualification.


https://www.careerforce.org.nz/rugby-player-strives-to-become-better-leader-for-pasifika-with-disabilities/
2019 Annual Employer Survey, Coming Soon!
As we mentioned last month, the third annual iteration of our annual employer survey is due to roll out over November, so this will be our ‘moment of truth’ to assess just how closely we’ve been listening to your feedback from the last two surveys. As a result of your feedback over the last two surveys, we’ve introduced a significant number of changes across a broad number of areas including enrolment processes, assessment design, trainee engagement, our online learning platform, and literacy & numeracy support to name just a few.

This is your opportunity to provide your feedback, and help inform what further improvements we need to make to ultimately improve your training outcomes.

Invitations are being sent early November, and we are hoping to repeat the fantastic participation we had last year. As with the previous two surveys, we’ll share the topline results, and the resultant actions that we’ll be committing to, in the new year.


October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
Cushla Wilson, Literacy and Numeracy Advisor at Careerforce takes this opportunity to share more information about this learning difference and how you can help create a positive dyslexia training environment.

Dyslexia Foundation New Zealand describes dyslexia as a continuum of abilities and difficulties. While reading and writing can be challenging at one end, big picture skills, creativity and high-level conceptualisation are often real strengths for those with dyslexia. 

Common signs of dyslexia include:
- Problems with labels, rhymes, sequences.
- Letters or numbers are reversed or confused e.g. b/d/p/q; n/u; 13/31.
- Slower to process and need repeated exposures to retain learning.
- Large gap between oral and written capabilities.
- Poor sense of direction – difficulty telling left from right.
- Frequent misspelling of words and mixing up words that sound similar (recession / reception).
- Problems meeting deadlines, despite working hard.

More details here: http://www.dyslexiafoundation.org.nz/info.html


Positive Dyslexia
There is a growing movement internationally which strives to change the narrative on dyslexia from a disability to a difference by focusing on the strengths that adults with dyslexia often display.  Many of the world’s greatest scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and self-made millionaires have dyslexia.

 
Unfortunately adults with dyslexia are also over-represented in low-skilled employment, mental health and incarceration rates.  A child’s experience at school can play a large part in these outcomes.  Education Central posted an article that follows a child with dyslexia into the NZ schooling system – well worth a read:
https://educationcentral.co.nz/no-place-for-a-shell-be-right-approach-when-it-comes-to-dyslexia/

How you can help
There are a number of ways you can create a positive dyslexia workplace training environment.  We share some ideas here.

Assessment for dyslexia
There is funding to support employees with dyslexia but it requires an assessment of dyslexia. Careerforce uses the UK’s Dyslexia Adult Screening Test (DAST).  We offer this screening, and support with the funding application, to our trainees.  The funding goes directly to the employee.  For more information please contact Cushla Wilson, Literacy and Numeracy Advisor 04 550 2426 / 027 838 9512. cushla.wilson@careerforce.org.nz


Free Enrolment in Health & Wellbeing and Cleaning Level 3 qualifications until the end of October

Careerforce recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary as an Industry Training Organisation, and is a very enthusiastic sponsor and supporter of today's Thank Your Cleaner Day.


To celebrate these two events and the important work being done in our sectors to enhance people’s health and wellbeing, we are offering free enrolments in selected Level 3 programmes until the end of  October 2019.

Get in touch if you wish to take advantage of these opportunities.  For more information, read more.
https://www.careerforce.org.nz/rugby-player-strives-to-become-better-leader-for-pasifika-with-disabilities/
Qualifications Pathway Review Update
Rehab Support review – Consultation completed
Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback through the online consultation and attended the face-to-face meeting. We are now going to analyse all feedback on the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Rehabilitation Support) (Level 4)
and get back to all stakeholders with the results and recommendations.

Skills for Living review – Consultation completed

We have also completed the consultation for the New Zealand Certificate in Skills for Living for Supported Learners (Level 1) with an optional strand in Skills for Working. We’ll work on analysing all feedback and get back to stakeholders with the results and recommendations.

Cleaning review – Analysis and Recommendations coming out soon

We are now finalising the analysis and recommendations document. Cleaning stakeholders will hear from us very soon.

Health and Wellbeing review – Qualifications approved

We have received NZQA approval for the reviewed health and wellbeing qualifications. NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 2 and NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 3 with strands were approved with minor changes. The NZ Certificate Health and Wellbeing Level 4 (Advanced Support) will be retired and replaced by a 120-credit qualification.
More information: https://www.careerforce.org.nz/qpr/health-and-wellbeing-qualifications-l2-l3-and-l4-advanced-support/

Youth Work review – Qualifications approved

Reviewed youth work qualifications have also been approved. The NZ Certificate in Youth Work Level 3 and NZ Certificate in Youth Work Level 4 were approved with minor changes.
More information: https://www.careerforce.org.nz/qpr/youth-work-l3-and-l4/

Hearing Therapy L6 & Vision Rehab L7 – Reviewed qualifications submitted to NZQA

We have submitted the revised qualification documents to NZQA for approval.Qual

Keep up to date! Visit the Careerforce website for more information about the Qualification Pathways Review https://www.careerforce.org.nz/qpr/

Industry Training Mayoral Graduations
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) and the councils have started sending out invitations for the industry training graduations.  We hope you'll encourage your staff who were invited to attend to attend the ceremonies.

For more information and questions, please contact MTFJ.

Council
Venue
Day/Time
Otorohanga District Council and
Waitomo District Council
Homestead Waitomo
24 October 2019, 6:30pm
Marlborough District Council
ASB Theatre
31 October 2019, 6:00pm
Christchurch City Council,
Waimakariri, Hurunui and Selwyn District
Aurora Centre, Burnside High School
5 November 2019, 6.30pm
Ashburton District Council
Ashburton Trust Event Centre
6 November 2019, 5.30pm
Stratford District Council
Stratford Council Chambers
7 November 2019, 5:30pm
Timaru District Council and
Waimate District Council

Timaru District Council Chambers
7 November 2019, 5:30pm
Thames Coromandel District
Council and Hauraki District Council

Thames War Memorial Civic Centre Conference Room
12 November 2019, 6:30pm
Clutha District Council
Rosebank Tavern
13 November 2019,
6:30pm
Masterton District, Carterton and
South Wairarapa District

Copthorne Solway Hotel & Resort
13 November 2019, 7:00pm
Whakatāne District, Ōpōtiki District and Kawerau District Council
Opotiki RSA
14 November 2019, 5:30pm
Tasman District Council and Nelson
City Council

Saxton Oval
15 November 2019, 6.00pm
Waitaki District Council
Oamaru Opera House
18 November 2019, 7.00pm
Westland District Council
RSA building, 22 Weld St Hokitika
27 November 2019, 6:00pm
Central Hawkes Bay District Council
Municipal Theatre in Waipawa
4 December 2019
SpeedMeet 2019 hits the mark        
SpeedMeet 2019 concluded on 25 September after the final event was held in Whakatane.

A total of 1,693 ‘matches’ were made across all events which could potentially lead to students receiving an offer of work experience, training, apprenticeship or even employment.

Careerforce employers that signed up to this year’s SpeedMeet include: Geneva Healthcare, IHC IDEA Services, Helen Anderson Trust, Hohepa Canterbury, ISS Facility Services, Keringle Park, and Access Community Health.

Shawn Taylor, HR Coordinator for IHC IDEA Services shared, "Our organisation had a great time with this event. There was an overwhelming amount of positive feedback and everyone appreciated this chance to connect with students. It was an awesome series of events and we’re looking forward to SpeedMeet 2020."

https://www.careerforce.org.nz/rugby-player-strives-to-become-better-leader-for-pasifika-with-disabilities/
Pay Equity & Qualification Equivalencies
For qualification based pay equity, support workers either need to have an actual New Zealand Certificate in Health & Wellbeing (Level 2-4),  or a qualification which has been assessed as equivalent to it.  Careerforce was given responsibility for determining qualification equivalence, and to date, have assessed over 7000 New Zealand and overseas qualifications.  

You can find out more about the assessment process here.

In each issue of Skills for Good, we will continue to publish the latest 'Pay Equity and Qualification Equivalency' updates.
The most recent qualification decisions are available here.  Please also check our website for all equivalency decisions.
Popular links
Find out more about:
  • Careerforce Qualification Programmes >> More
  • Pay Equity Qualification Equivalencies >>More
  • Gateway and Vocational Pathways >>More
  • How to contact your local Careerforce Workplace Advisor >>More
 
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