Industry joins NorthTec in celebrating big achievement

Industry joins NorthTec in celebrating big achievement

Securing of NZICA accreditation to retain qualified workers in region

Northland businesses that will benefit from NorthTec securing the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) accreditation for its Bachelor of Applied Management degree joined in the celebrations marking the accomplishment on Wednesday night.

NorthTec Business Director – Commerce, Dr Mark Ewen said although the reception held at The Apprentice Restaurant was a chance for the 60 guests to celebrate and network, it was also an opportunity to thank local industry and key stakeholders for their support in NorthTec being able to secure the NZICA endorsement.

The Accounting major on NorthTec’s new Bachelor of Applied Management degree sets students up to complete the ‘Associate Chartered Accountant’ designation. The course content was developed by NorthTec in consultation with the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) who approved the delivery of the programme after a visit to NorthTec last October. NZICA recognised that it would meet the needs of their members putting an end to the shortage of skilled workers in Northland.

NZICA General Manager of Sales, Marketing and Communications, Helen Mexted believes the accreditation awarded to NorthTec for its new Bachelor of Applied Management degree was well deserved.

“This accreditation will bridge the gap between students with an interest in accounting at secondary schools and their tertiary aspirations. We are looking forward to watching this programme grow, and seeing this translate into growth for the region,” said Ms Mexted.

Northland branch Chair of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, Shiralee McLean said with NorthTec having the accreditation, a never-before-seen pool of qualified graduates will now become available to Northland business.

Mrs McLean viewed NorthTec securing the ACA accreditation as a win-win for both students and the local business community, with people previously needing to leave the region to access qualifications on offer at other institutions. It meant hardly any graduates were choosing to return to the north to find work in the field, despite a shortage of qualified workers.

“It is always good for our members to have local people you can employ who are studying right here,” she stated.

Mrs McLean, who is a Director of Gunson and McLean Chartered Accountants in Whangarei, said the Northland branch of NZICA had been advocating for the accreditation to be made available to NorthTec for some years to try and prevent an exodus of students to other places.

She said that with NorthTec now having the ACA endorsement, it is now more affordable for students to remain in Northland after their studies for work.

“We as a branch are really pleased NorthTec now have it (the accreditation) which is fantastic,” she said.

NorthTec’s Dr Ewen said he was supported by the local branch of NZICA during the accreditation application process, which had made submissions and lobbied on NorthTec’s behalf in Wellington.

“We would now like to repay the trust and support shown to us by encouraging more local students and school leavers onto the programme,” he said.

Dr Ewen added, “The Bachelor of Applied Management degree is by nature applied, and as such NorthTec wants its graduates to be work-ready. This includes the students meeting the needs of local firms, but also graduating at a level of ability where they are able to potentially provide leadership and direction in their fields.”

The strength of the Bachelor of Applied Management degree is that it meets the needs of both students and the business sector, with a 60-credit industry project, built into the qualification. This enables students to make an impact on prospective employers during their placement he noted.

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