Business South August 2021

| 3 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Otago Polytechnic New centre a huge boost for training T T Russell Fredric Otago Polytechnic is enjoying a surge in student numbers as people seek industry elated qualifications. T he realisation of Otago Polytechnic’s $31.7 million Trades Training Centre in Dunedin is a dream come-true for the institute’s management and staff. Chief executive Dr. Megan Gibbons says the project was submitted by Otago Polytechnic early last year in response to the Govern- ment’s call to develop “shovel-ready” projects, aimed at stimulating and supporting economic activity in the city and region. “It was pretty exciting. We didn’t actually think we had a lot of show to be honest; everyone was looking for a shovel ready pro- ject and it really was shovel ready. The plans were ready to go,” Megan says. Construction on the three-story centre was started by Naylor Love late January, with com- pletion expected in October 2022. Megan says that the economic impact of the project is significant, employing around 200 tradespeople as well as construction man- agers and consultants. “It is also timely and significant to both the local and national construction industry, as major contractors recover from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.” The project is being resourced largely by local tradespersons and companies, with con- struction materials sourced by a national sup- plier and specialist equipment for the internal fit-out sourced both locally and nationally. The polytechnic’s trade training options cov- er construction and carpentry, electrical and mechanical engineering, quantity surveying, automotive and heavy transport. Courses are currently run from a variety of sites which are not ideally fit for purpose. However the new centre will be of internation- al standard, Megan says. “The new complex will provide an outstand- ing learning environment, offering modern learning facilities including common learning spaces, to meet industry and more sophisti- cated learner demands.” “It will also allow us to expand to bring in plumbing, gas-fitting and drain-laying and also some of the allied trades which will be impor- tant for the Dunedin hospital build.” “The new complex will provide an outstanding learning environment, offering modern learning facilities including common learning spaces, to meet industry and more sophisticated learner demands.” T T to page 4 South Island Wide 0800 WOODFUEL richard.ireland@pioneerenergy.co.nz Pioneer Energy’s wood fuel team is proud of their long-standing association with Otago Polytechnic, an institution that mirrors Pioneer’s commitment to the Central Otago region’s community and economic development. Pioneer Energy has the experience and expertise to help your business move to wood energy -from the conversion of your boilers to supply of the high-quality biomass – call Pioneer. NEED HELP WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY? Avid Plus is a health and safety business specialising in auditing (systems and sites), consultancy, machinery safety and hazardous substances assessments. We produce and sell online interactive health and safety training modules and have an online shop on our website. Avid Plus is proud to provide health and safety support to the Otago Polytechnic. P 64 3 453 1400 or E info@avidplus.co.nz W avidplus.co.nz