Alliance approached SIT to deliver a course for existing and aspiring leaders keen to further develop their leadership skills by completing a New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) qualification.
SIT Online Programme Operations Manager Guna Baskaran says the 24-week pilot course facilitated by three tutors introduces participants to the New Zealand Certificate in Business (Introduction to Team Leadership) (Level 3).
“This is the first time we have delivered it as a block course, which is quite different from the usual SIT Online format. It combines online learning with on-site delivery at SIT.”
“The programme provides a strong foundation for participants who may want to continue into further study, including Level 5.”
“While all 16 participants in the pilot are from Alliance Lorneville, there is potential to extend the programme to Alliance’s Mataura Plant or more broadly across the wider group if it proves successful.”
In preparation for the programme, SIT Online staff visited Alliance’s Lorneville Plant last month to tour the site and better understand the workplace environment, helping shape learning that is relevant to participants’ day-to-day roles.
“That visit helped us identify where the learning gaps are and what content would be most useful for participants,” says Mr Baskaran.
“The course gives us a practical way to address those gaps through relevant workplace learning.”
“We have also contextualised the learning materials and assessments to reflect the industry and workplace environment, making the content practical, relevant and aligned with the objectives identified by the Lorneville management team.”
The staff selected for the programme are either already leading teams or preparing to step into leadership roles. “Some of them have been working at Alliance for 30 years,” Mr Baskaran says.
By completing the programme, participants are expected to strengthen their ability to lead effective team performance, develop team objectives, communicate with stakeholders, work cooperatively, apply problem-solving and decision-making skills, and demonstrate professional, ethical and culturally responsible leadership in the workplace.
Mr Baskaran says completing the course will help establish a more consistent standard of interpersonal and leadership capability across managers.
“Many people learn how to manage through observing previous bosses or supervisors. Bringing managers through the same programme can help build greater consistency in how leadership is practised.”
Alliance’s Lorneville Plant Manager, Jason Graham, says the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to creating a strong leadership legacy for the plant.
“As the region’s largest employer, we are proud to be partnering with another respected Southland institution to strengthen leadership capability, develop future talent and invest in the long-term success of our region.
“This partnership reflects a shared belief that developing people is one of the most powerful ways we can support sustainable growth, not just within our organisations, but across the wider Southland community.
“This partnership is helping to grow local talent, create meaningful career pathways, strengthen regional capability and support succession planning.
“By investing in the future of Southland together, we are building more than a programme, we are building opportunity, resilience and leadership for the next generation.”
SIT Online Head of Faculty, Dr Jacob Wood, noted that it was great to see SIT working with the Alliance Group in this way and that he hoped the experience would be an enriching one for those staff attending. He also commented that this was the beginning of a great partnership and was looking forward to SIT providing further programme opportunities to their staff in the future.