The Loons Theatre Trust

The Loons Theatre Trust lost our home in the Christchurch earthquakes. But now we’ve found a new space. We’re partnering with the Ministry of Education to build a theatre on the new Lyttelton school campus.

Loons theatre spectaculars will return to Christchurch. But that’s not all. The space will be used by children to learn drama and dance as part of the Loons in Schools educational program, and the theatre will also be a much needed venue for touring companies, live music, community events, and school performances.

We’ve already raised nearly $200,000 to fit the space out. But we need to raise another $70,000 to pay for retractable theatre seating. So we’re running a crowdfunding campaign until 5 November, and we need you to spread the word.

Find out more here. 

petert@cecc.org.nz
cecc.org.nz

Getting it Done

On the 8^th September, the Ministry for Women held an event at SCIRT (Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team) to launch “Getting it Done’, a report outlining lessons around utilising women’s skills in the workforce from the Canterbury rebuild.

The report is actually a case study as to what is working in New Zealand right now, to increase the number of women in trades jobs. Women are significantly underrepresented across construction and trades, engineering and digital technology industries. These industries have been indicated as being likely to drive growth in New Zealand in the next five to 10 years.

In 2013, research was undertaken that uncovered the fact that women were being underutilised in a workforce crying out for additional labour post Canterbury earthquakes. This laid the way for some work to actively intervene and to grow the number of women participating in a non-traditional role.

Underpinning this work was one key tactic - to increase the visibility of women in the rebuild, whilst reducing any perceived barriers to taking part.

This included engaging with training bodies within the region to increase the number of women in trades related courses. CPIT saw their female enrolments in trades training rise from 50 in 2011, to 414 in 2014 when they introduced targeted programmes, marketing, and fees-free training for women.

Collaboration has also been important, with the Ministry convening an informal working group to tackle this issue.  The group contained representatives from ITO’s, Research companies, infrastructure and construction companies, training bodies, government agencies and Associations. This was an action oriented group, where each organisation contributed to building visibility in a different way, based on their areas of influence and experience.

CECC is proud to have been involved in this programme, working with the Ministry to host a ‘Sources of Labour in the Rebuild Event’ in November 2013, in order to focus on how to get the best out of Canterbury’s workforce for the rebuild and beyond. This can only better support our people and our businesses, ensuring a strong and resilient community going forward.  

Access the report at http://women.govt.nz/documents/getting-it-done-utilising-womens-skills-workforce-2015

Food for Thought – The Family Health Trust

The responsibility for businesses in todays’ world to have a social focus is a key motivation for the upcoming Cuningham Taylor Business Lunch, appropriately entitled ‘Food for Thought’. CECC’s General Manager, Leeann Watson will MC this event, which aims to entertain and inform high-profile Canterbury business professionals, whilst supporting the good work of The Family Health Trust.

The Trust works towards the successful prevention of child abuse and child death in vulnerable families through an intensive five-year programme of in-home support. The role of the Family Help Trust is aligned with CECC’s philosophy on the interdependency between a strong business sector and a healthy community.

Key note speakers for this year’s lunch include the Hon. Paula Bennett, MP for Upper Harbour, Minister of State Services and Associate Minister of Finance, who, in her role as Minister of Social Development, saw first-hand the difference that organisations such as the Trust make to support NZ families. The changing nature of corporate responsibility is of special interest and Ms Bennett will share the Government’s view.

Alongside the Hon. Paula Bennett, Dr Eric Crampton, economist and Head of Research at the New Zealand Initiative, will explain the basic model that the Ministry of Health is trialing for social impact bonds, how it could be made better for community-based charitable organisations in combination with crowdfunding, and how it links into he evidence-based approach recommended in growing effective altruism movement.

This will be a thought provoking event, with an opportunity to gain insight into the economy, the role of charitable organisations in working for our families, and how the private sector might engage to make a difference. 

Visit www.familyhelptrust.org.nz to find out more or call 03 365 9912.

petert@cecc.org.nz
www.cecc.org.nz

Canterbury Mayoral Forum’s Regional Economic Development Strategy

CECC is very pleased to be a strong supporter of the just released Canterbury Mayoral Forum’s Regional Economic Development Strategy. Click here for the  full strategy.

There has been a lot of good thinking going into our aspirations by all of the Canterbury Mayors, as they strive to identify the key drivers towards achieving a strong regional economy with resilient, connected communities and a better quality of life for all.

The CERA Transitional advisory Board has been emphasising the need to create an environment whereby people can live the lives they want to live. The commonality of thinking and direction of travel is compelling.

The essence of the strategy is to ensure we optimise sustainable economic growth and have the investment capability, infrastructure and skill sets to do just that.

Canterbury has bountiful natural resources including our highly valued fresh water and bountiful land. We have the capability to be a very prosperous region contributing to New Zealand’s economic performance by punching well above our weight.

The Mayoral forum a has identified the key issues we need to confront, and CECC will play its part to ensure our dreams and aspirations are realised. 

petert@cecc.org.nz
www.cecc.org.nz