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Waikato Engineering Education Fund

Join WECA

WECA’s mission is to foster a vibrant and sustainable engineering sector by attracting and developing engineers for the future.

Want to join us on this mission? Consider becoming a WECA member.

WECA membership gives businesses and affiliates the opportunity shape the future of the sector, in our region and beyond.

As New Zealand’s only engineering careers association, WECA members make key connections with other companies and educators, have input into education, training and career pathways, a voice at central and local government and play an important part in external communications and activities promoting engineering in Waikato as a career.

 

Background

WECA was founded by in 2003 by some of our region’s most successful engineers concerned at sector skills shortages, to foster a vibrant and sustainable engineering sector by attracting and developing engineers for the future.

A significant focus for WECA is Manager Mary Jensen’s founding member of the Industry Stakeholder Group for Hanga-Aro-Rau Workforce Development Council, for the manufacturing, engineering and logistics sector. This group provides essential advice and feedback to the Council on its strategic direction and performance and offers advice and information from an industry perspective. For WECA Members, this opens the door for excellent lobbying opportunities and means your feedback and perspective will be shared at a national level.

WECA also lead the interim Regional Skills Leadership Group for the Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics Sector, giving members the opportunity to influence the development of the Government’s COVID recovery response, regional labour market and economic strategies and spending for our sector.

    As well as the above, WECA Membership benefits include:

    • Linkages between Waikato students, educators and WECA companies via Career Expos and strong secondary school and tertiary relationships
    • Networking with members at WECA functions, including regular events, AGM and more
    • Receiving monthly updates including engineering news and events through WECA newsletter (9 X per annum, up to 5 team members on our mailing list, featuring key industry news, member success stories, events, photos and more)
    • Company profile and link on WECA website
    • Brief introductory company profile in WECA newsletter (1x)
    • Contribution to any WECA lobbying discussion
    • WECA represents member companies at economic development level, both in the development of the Waikato Economic Development Strategy & Central Government
    • WECA website features member profiles, media releases, event photos, newsletter archives, engineering pathways, video and more
    • Collaborative and effective written and electronic promotional media to promote Waikato engineering careers
    • Simplifies pathways between Waikato schools, engineering training and work
    • Represents and co-ordinates WECA companies at Careers Events with an audience of thousands of secondary school students
    • Represents members at regional employment / skills forums
    • Profiles WECA in Waikato secondary school careers resource FutureForce® Careers Hub (special WECA rates)
    • Access to subsidised Employment Brokerage – attracting entry-level staff and promoting and developing entry level work opportunities including work experience, cadetships, apprenticeships, internships and jobs (thanks to strategic partnership with Smart Waikato Trust)

    Events and Activities

    WECA is known throughout the region and beyond for working to combat skills shortages by intensifying interest in the sector – mechanical. electrical, plastics and civil – with excellent connections and events. These include:

    • Regional and School Careers Events
    • Engineering for Educators
    • Engineering in Action
    • Business Tours
    • Member Networking Events and AGM