Relationships Key To Award Win

Strong Strategic Relationships Key To Award Win For Wintec Manager

At last night's staff awards at Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) Marlene Perry received an Innovation Award from CEO, Mark Flowers.

The Innovation Award was for the concept and implementation of Wireless @ Wintec.

Wireless @ Wintec utilises satellite internet technology along with laptops to deliver classes and presentations in the rural sector of the Waikato and King Country regions.

The unit is extremely portable and effective and provides tuition access through the internet in the region using satellite technologies.

The small trailer unit has already been identified as having a broader function by various organisations such as New Zealand Police and Civil Defence as it can give portable access to the internet in remote areas.

Wireless @ Wintec will be totally self sufficient when we manage to add solar panels and an inverter to the unit.

Wintec's satellite campus in the King Country is currently seeking financial support for a sponsored vehicle to tow the trailer, solar panels and sponsor signage for this New Zealand first innovation. Marlene Perry is Manager of Wintec@TeKuiti. Her qualifications include :

PGDipMan Waik, Kellogg Rural L'ship Prog Linc, CTT Waik, CertCSW Wintec, CertContEd Waik, CAT Wintec

Marlene has also recently instigated Fee Free 2008 - Wintec @ Te Kuiti & Wintec @ Otorohanga Trade Training Centre

Wintec's commitment to the King Country is to offer fee free on all mainstream programmes for 2008 year.

"The need for a qualified and skilled workforce for our regional economic and social development has seen strong commitments from the community to expand the programme delivery options at a local level over recent years," she said.

"The pre-Apprenticeship Programme in Otorohanga is a key indicator that Tertiary Education can make a significant difference to local industry uptake of skilled young people especially with ongoing support through the Apprenticeship Coordinator role managed by the Otorohanga District Development Board.

"Currently scholarships and grants are offered by McDonald's Lime and Otorohanga Rotary Club for the Trade Training Centre programmes and Tiroa Trust for Rereahu and Maniapoto ruhe for any Wintec programme. The expansion of these scholarships and grants will be the key to furthering fee free out to 2010 and beyond."

She says that strong strategic alliances have been forged with organisations such as the Otorohanga District Development Board, Waitomo and Otorohanga District Councils, Ruapehu Tertiary Education Focus Group, North King Country Health Workforce Development Group, Educom, CowTech and Tiroa Trust has enabled capital investment into both campuses and support nationally through the Mayor's Task Force, Ministry of Social Development and Tertiary Education Commission. The new wave of consultation with Private Training Establishments will enhance the staircasing of people studying in the region - so people can stay in the region to learn and earn.

Te Kuiti has been pro-active with distance and blended distance and face to face delivery of programmes such as the Farm Smart programme - Certificate in Computer Skills, through the activities of the Mobile classroom and the new satellite dish and laptop technology housed in a small trailer unit. Both units have been available for tuition and commercial hire. Wintec @ Te Kuiti also organises several offsite programmes through the wider Waikato region such as Tirau, Putaruru, Ohaupo, Ngahinapouri, Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Gordonton, Rangitoto, Taumarunui with the mobile classroom visiting on a regular basis HoroHoro, Taharoa, Kawhia, Mokau, Mangakino, Waitomo Caves, Taumarunui, Owhano, National Park, Ohakune, Reitahei to name a few. Wintec @ Thames covers the Coromandel, Waihi, Te Aroha, Morrinsville, Matamata, Hauraki Plains, Huntly and Te Kawhata area.

ENDS

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