Firms' innovative ideas excite local school heads

(from left) Eoin Crosbie (Bethlehem College), Dave Randell (Otumoetai College), Ray Scott (Aquinas College), Shawn Hutchison (ACG Tauranga), Pauline Cowens (Tauranga Girls' College), Russell Gordon (Mount Maunganui College), Steve Lindsey (Papamoa College), Koa Douglas (Tewharekura O Mauao), Robert Mangan (Tauranga Boys' College), and Alan Liddle (Te Puke High School). Photo / Supplied

Principals from Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty secondary schools said they had been inspired by their visits to six innovative companies based at the Tauriko Business Estate.

The visit by the 10 principals last week was the 11th in an annual series organised by Priority One's InStep Programme to help the educators learn about local businesses' skill needs. It also enabled business leaders to prepare students to succeed in a fast-changing era for employment, said programme manager Lyn Parlane.

"We want to foster an understanding of the importance of innovative thinking in both education and business," she said.

Companies taking part included Bluelab (which manufactures meters for water-based plant growing systems); Kiwi Bus Builders (one of the country's leading bus-building companies); Jenkins Freshpac Systems (which makes innovative packaging solutions); Kliptank (specialising in tank storage solutions); Brother International (the New Zealand head office for the Japan-owned printer/copier company); and Health House (which makes natural health products).

Rachel Emerson, commercial manager of Element IMF, which manages the Tauriko Business Park, said participants had been blown away by the level of innovation.

"But I think what I enjoyed the most was seeing how the businesses responded to the opportunity to engage and share their experiences of supply chains, their views on the future, staffing, and innovation."

Te Puke High School principal Alan Liddle said the business visits were great eye-openers. "It's inspiring to see the innovation and creativity in and around Tauranga."

Mount Maunganui College principal Russell Gordon said he was proud to be part of such a vibrant and growing economy.

"It would appear the future for our school graduates is brighter than ever and it is the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of the businesses we saw that are making this so."