Hon Grant Robertson
Minister of Finance
2 August 2018 PĀNUI PĀPĀHO
MEDIA STATEMENT
Future of Work Tripartite Forum champions skills shift programme
The Future of Work Tripartite Forum’s first meeting saw a productive discussion between business, unions and government
on the challenges and opportunities of the changing world of work, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said today.
The Forum endorsed a Manufacturers’ Network pilot programme that addresses the skills shift needed in that sector to
meet the challenges of automation and artificial intelligence.
“We are keen to see how this could transform the manufacturing industry and use it as a blueprint for others. Skills
shortages and the pace at which the nature of work is changing are huge issues facing New Zealand,” Grant Robertson
says.
“The Forum’s key purpose is to investigate and champion initiatives to address this,” Grant Robertson says.
The Forum brings together the three key partners in the economy - government, business and unions – to improve the use
of technology, create more productive workplaces, and improve the skills and training of our workers.
Business NZ chief executive Kirk Hope and Council of Trade Unions (CTU) president Richard Wagstaff join Grant Robertson
in leading the Forum.
“Change is happening rapidly in the work environment. Jobs and working arrangements, economies, markets and sectors are
all undergoing transformation. Understanding and preparing for change will be essential for our future success,”
Business NZ chief executive Kirk Hope says.
‘It’s crucial we all work together to create a good future of work for us all, and leave no one behind. This Forum is a
place where all of our interests can be put on the table and taken into account,” CTU president Richard Wagstaff says.
Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon and KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy also attended and shared
their experiences leading ‘High Performance, High Engagement’ workplaces where executives and workers collaborate to
harness opportunities from the changing nature of work.
“We know we can create better workplaces both in terms of productivity and in terms of employee experience. We have a
great opportunity to learn from our best practices so they become the norm, not the exception,” Richard Wagstaff says.
“Not all of the future is knowable in advance, but we can gain insights into ways of working to provide better outcomes
for everyone involved, with no-one left behind. We can build on best practice in the workplace as we know it today. The
Future of Work Tripartite Forum gives us the opportunity to reflect on how we can maintain our place as one of the best
economies and societies in the world,” Kirk Hope says.
“To achieve our plan to future proof the economy and lift the living standards of all New Zealanders, the Coalition
Government recognises the need to work differently. We know we cannot achieve this vision on our own,” Grant Robertson
says.
“This collaborative approach will be critical to ensuring we adapt effectively to changes in technology or processes
that our businesses and workers rely on,” Grant Robertson says.
The Forum was established through Budget 2018. It will feed into existing Coalition Government and private sector work
programmes across four key themes:
• Just Transitions
• Learning for Life
• Technology
• Workplace Productivity
Members plan to meet again within the next two months.
ends