18 | The new showroom features a wider selection of products. Spacious new premises T T Bernadette Cooney Recognition for workforce supply specialist Workforce Central Dunedin “It’s important we provide a well-supported, pretrained workforce for critical infrastructure projects that will benefit Dunedin now and into the future.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Workforce Central Dunedin has been recognised as a leader in workplace mental health and wellbeing, recently earning runner-up honours in the highly contested Site Safe Mental Health & Wellbeing Awards 2025. It was a remarkable feat for a small but resolute team, matching a work-ready labour force with trade contractors working on the Dunedin Hospital rebuild and other significant local infrastructure projects. Their strong pastoral care initiatives include workplace health screenings from on-site nurse, Judy Currie of WHS Consulting Ltd. Judy provides health screenings for eyesight, diabetes and blood pressure, holds regular on-site clinics, and refers staff to physiotherapy sessions at Otago University. Being a finalist in the mental health and wellbeing category is an honour, says Workforce Central Dunedin director Raymond Clark. “We’re thrilled to be recognised by Site Safe for our pastoral care. It’s important we provide a well-supported, pre-trained workforce for critical infrastructure projects that will benefit Dunedin now and into the future.” Established in 2020, Workforce Central Dunedin operates as a Jobs and Skills Hub, serving the workforce needs of the New Dunedin Hospital build and the wider construction and infrastructure sectors in Otago. Funded through the Provincial Growth Fund, and supported by Business South Incorporated, which is the merger of Otago Southland Employers’ Association and Otago Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Central Dunedin acts as the ‘shop front’ for all stages of the inpatient and outpatient hospital build, connecting job seekers with contractors to ensure a steady supply of inducted and pretrained labourers and skilled tradespeople. “If you’re a contractor needing labourers or specialist tradespeople for finishing works, we’ll ensure they come to you work-ready from day one; having had all their health and safety inductions and Site Safe certifications, saving contractors time and money,” says Raymond. Access Mobility: Inhaus T T Kim Newth Access Mobility first opened in Richmond 16 years ago, with a vision to support independent living across the top of the South Island by providing a one-stop-shop for all specialist equipment needed by people with disabilities or declining mobility. Founders Chris and Susan White-Johnson are now proudly taking that vision to the next level with their large new premises in Brock Way, Richmond. “We believe this is one of the first purpose-built specialist facilities of its kind, especially in such a rapidly developing area,” says Susan. “There’s a rest home nearby and a large subdivision, so there’s plenty of traffic passing through, which gives us great visibility.” Their previous showroom on Croucher Street served them well for many years, but growth meant they needed a bigger space. They had run out of room to display the full range of products, and servicing and rentals were also operating from separate premises. “We now have everything on one site and space to display a vast array of product, from jar openers to shoes and socks for swollen feet, home-care beds and mobility scooters,” says Susan. “We hope our big new showroom will normalise shopping for these things that support independent living.” Chris and Susan first started Access Mobility after realising how difficult it was to find equipment for some family members with mobility issues. “Back then, there was no specialist store in Nelson, so we decided to open Access Mobility,” Susan explains. “It was just Chris and me, and now we have 17 staff across our Richmond location and a second site in Blenheim, so we’ve experienced significant growth.” Designed by award-winning Weir Architecture, Access Mobility’s new premises are fully accessible, and nearly twice the size of their previous spaces. The showroom itself will feature a wider selection of products and more options, including a growing range of paediatric equipment. Every aspect supports accessibility, from generous parking to full level-entry access and a dedicated paved area for trying out mobility scooters. New facilities include a large hygiene area with Hubscrub chamber for easy sanitisation of equipment, including soft furnishings . Access Mobility’s five technicians have a dedicated space for repairing, servicing and setting up equipment, and the building also has a separate delivery area. The Jobs and Skills Hub focuses on attracting, developing, and retaining local talent, aiming to reduce reliance on overseas labour through the upskilling of local workers, and encouraging school leavers to choose a trades career pathway. Another successful wellbeing programme delivered by the Jobs and Skills Hub, was centred on foreign workers within the Dunedin Hospital build. In partnership with training consultant, Fi McKay of Legend Transformational Leadership Company, the initiative was designed for the contingent of Filipino workers involved with the early stages of the hospital build. “(It was) aimed at bridging communication gaps and increasing understanding between the Filipino workforce and construction managers,” says Raymond. “Fi McKay did massive work with us, truly making a difference and providing insight into cross-cultural competency and workforce retention for the construction industry and its overseas workforce. “Her programme has given construction managers tools to understand and better support their teams, which has had a real impact on productivity and staff wellbeing.” From recruitment to on-site training and upskilling, to site induction programmes and engagement with educators and training providers, Workforce Central Dunedin is a one-stop- shop for employers, contractors and job seekers across Otago. The Jobs and Skills Hub has also achieved Mates in Construction accreditation and a Te Tiriti Partnership Award for its alignment and uplift of Māori and Pasifika businesses in exploring construction opportunities within Ōtepoti. Proud to be suppliers of electrical work for Access Mobility MOBILE: 0274 421 328 OFFICE PHONE: 03 544 4052 EMAIL: hello@paulmorris.co.nz ken robinson architects ltd 4c bronte st nelson 7010 new zealand p h 6 4 3 5 4 8 4 6 1 4 m 0 2 1 1 8 5 3 1 4 2 e ken@krarchitects.co.nz New Zealand’s leading consultancy in multicultural workforce development and transformational leadership — empowering organisations with award-winning, innovative training solutions. www.legendtlc.co.nz HELPING YOU CREATE YOUR LEGEND WHSWorkplace Consulting Wellbeing Health Safety Judy Currie Grad Dip OSH, GCTLT Workplace Consultant Occupational Health Nurse E. whsworkplace@outlook.com M. 0272207468
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=