PHOENIX SUMMIT: 003 | NEW ZEALAND’S CREATIVE INDUSTRY EVENT RETURNS WITH AN IMPRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL LINE-UP

GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDE GRAMMY NOMINATED HIP HOP PRODUCER MIKE SNELL, LIVENDIRECT FOUNDER KEITH TURNER AND AOTEAROA TALENT SPANNING MUSIC AND BUSINESS

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New Zealand’s creative industry event is returning for 2021 with Phoenix Summit: 003. Taking place on Thursday 18th November from 11am at Auckland’s Wynyard Pavilion, the afternoon will feature a variety of notable guest speakers including local and international founders and creative visionaries Mike Snell (U.S.), Keith Turner (U.S.), Aotearoa accomplished musician Devin Abrams of Pacific Heights, successful podcast co-founder of The Curve, Victoria Harris, alongside Matt Croad and Nick Marshall who co-founded and are directors of the successful drinks businesses Pals and Master of Ceremonies. They will also be joined by Tim Harper - co-founder and CEO of new NFT digital company Glorious and Sam Gribben, Melodics CEO and former Serato CEO.

Phoenix Summit: 003 aims to connect, inspire and rise-up to create change and influence for the better of the industry. The event will offer an opportunity to advance and influence the future of Aotearoa by bringing together those playing an active role in shaping it - to create an uprising of creative minds.

The brainchild of the Phoenix Summit is Hamish Pinkham, one of New Zealand’s most accomplished music industry players, and supported by leading individuals in New Zealand’s entertainment sector. It was established to unite New Zealand’s creative industries and create a platform for meaningful conversations around how we can use our platforms to achieve social change.

With the creative industry in a state of flux since the start of the 2020 pandemic, and affecting it most recently, the most recent sessions will explore the landscape and where future opportunities lie in a post-Covid world. The afternoon will also cover support and funding, and relevant technologies to carry ideas forward. 

Phoenix Summit’s founder Hamish Pinkham comments: “Given this Covid environment -  it's more imperative than ever to be sharing inspiration and topical Kiwi stories and helping provide a platform for those to plug into to keep progressing their creative ambitions.”

Phoenix Summit will be proudly sponsored by Moshtix, Harley Evans Managing Director says: "We're super excited to be involved with this amazing initiative that is assisting in the development of the next generation of young music makers, audiences and industry professionals in New Zealand."

The line-up of speakers to be interviewed by Sin Howard, alongside special local guests in Phoenix's signature style, includes:

  • Mike Snell - Regal Records

  • Keith Turner - LIVENDIRECT

  • Devin Abrams - Pacific Heights

  • Matt Croad and Nick Marshall - Pals and Master of Ceremonies

  • Fenella Stratton and Jaz Powell - Twice the Hype

  • Caitlin Crisp - Caitlin Crisp

  • Tim Harper - Glorious NFT

  • Victoria Harris - The Curve

Featuring a line-up of inspiring and informative speakers, register for tickets from today from major sponsor Moshtix. Tickets on sale from Friday October 1. General admission $89, students and high school students $69 plus booking fee.

If the summit is to take place under Level 2 restrictions, it will do so in accordance with NZ health and safety government regulations and practice.

TRADE CAREERS SURVEY RESULTS REVEAL 79% OF EMPLOYERS IN THE TRADE SECTOR WANT TO HIRE WOMEN BUT NEED SUPPORT TO DO IT

RESULTS ALSO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF A SUPPORTIVE BOSS, FLEXIBILITY, WORKPLACE SAFETY AND CULTURAL RESPECT FOR WOMEN

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Trade Careers has today released its pioneering research and insights report, revealing that 79% of trade employers surveyed would like to hire female employees into their businesses but need support to do so. Employers stated reasons such as women’s dedication to their work, higher attention to detail and time management skills as attributes that would make them an asset to their sites.

The report aims to reveal the barriers Kiwi women face when entering the building, construction and infrastructure industries. The solutions focused report was commissioned in April 2021 to better understand the employment situation of the 22,000 New Zealand women who lost their jobs due to COVID-19. The results offer insights into how to attract and transition women into careers within the trade sector.

Currently, the trade industries are experiencing an unprecedented skills shortage. At present, only 2.6% of the building, construction and infrastructure sector are women, however both employers and women have said they want to connect with each other.

Of the 2,254 women who completed the survey, 60% would like to enter the trade industry, and 79% of the 207 employers who responded said they would like to hire women, and would value support to do so.

From employers' perspectives, women’s attention to detail, dedication, positive attitude, customer service and time management skills were noted as attractive reasons for hiring women as tradespeople. Several perceived barriers included concerns regarding women’s physical strength, flexibility to accommodate child care, maternity cover and navigating negative workplace culture. Trade Careers believe these myths can be easily busted.

Survey results found that women want a supportive boss and work colleagues, and an understanding from their employer of flexible working hours to support caring responsibilities. The results highlighted a want for better understanding career pathways in the trades, and the importance of feeling safe, both physically and mentally, at work. Results also shone a light on the importance of a workplace that is respectful of different cultures.

Tim Fowler, Chief Executive, Tertiary Education Commission commented: “We funded this work because it is important to know what barriers and opportunities are out there for women getting into trades, especially as they are an under-represented group. This survey shows there are still some perception and social barriers for women. If we can make it easier for 50% of the population to enter the trades, that could go a long way to easing skills shortages as well as improve long term career opportunities for women.”

Based on focus group data, the trade industry appeals to women for a variety of reasons, including challenging gender stereotypes, being a role model for others, and not being desk-bound. Other reasons included increased physical and mental health, strong transferrable skills and employment stability.

Challenges for entering the industry included the length of time for training, finding the required flexibility for childcare responsibilities and being unsure of how to kick-start a career in the trades.

The foundation of this report built the Trade Careers online toolkit, career reboot and employer education program and the ‘Give it a Red Hot Go!’ webseries. The full report can be downloaded at tradecareers.co. This research has been funded by Tertiary Education Commission and was carried out by Cogo Research Agency.

MYTH-BUSTING WEB SERIES LAUNCHED TO ENCOURAGE MORE WĀHINE INTO THE TRADE INDUSTRY

PILOT PROGRAMME INTRODUCED FOR EMPLOYERS TO KICKSTART FEMALE HIRES IN THE TRADE INDUSTRY

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Trade Careers have launched a creative myth-busting web series to encourage more New Zealand women into the trades, along with a toolkit to empower employees to hire female staff. At present, only 13.5% of all workers in the trades are women, and there are only 2.6% of women on the tools. Trade Careers believe that number should be much higher.

Hosted on tradecareers.co, the light-hearted series features multi-award-winning comedian Tess Waters in character as ‘Dave’, an employer on a journey to hire more women in the trade industry, alongside Billy-T Award winning comedian and actress Kura Forrester representing female employees.

With a new episode dropping each week, the series shares experiences of women currently working in the trades, along with inspiring industry leaders to bust myths about hiring females.

‘Dave’ represents an amalgamation of data gathered from over 1,000 NZ tradies who have expressed interest in hiring a woman. ‘Dave’ says: “I’ve learnt so much about how to get it right for women on site and also how to manage the lads' reaction to having more women in the industry. My advice? Give it a red hot go!”

Employers in the trade industry are being asked to sign up to a free pilot programme, offering useful tools and information for hiring women to their teams.

Kelly Bennett, Principal Advisor, WITC commented: “We heard that lots of Kiwi women are keen to enter the trades and that employers really want to hire them – both groups just need a chance to meet each other and find out more about how it all works. Our pilot programme with videos, toolkits, site visits, and events are a fun, useful way to get answers to all the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.”

Dave added: “Women in trades is not a new thing, it’s a great thing!”

In April, Trade Careers ran a nationwide survey to gather information and find ways to boost the number of women working in the infrastructure and construction sector, a sector crying-out for great wāhine staff. Survey results are set to be released on 25th August, with evidence found that both employers and potential employees would like to learn more about each other. Trade Careers hopes to uncover what the barriers are, and to explore the opportunities to see more females enter the industry.

Trade Careers is presented by Women in Trades Collective (WITC) and is supported by BCITO, Connexis, Skills and Competenz. Trade Careers received funding from the Tertiary Education Commission.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE 2021 ATTITUDE AWARDS

CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF NEW ZEALAND’S DISABILITY COMMUNITY

Pictured: The 2020 Attitude ACC Supreme Award winner Grace Stratton

Pictured: The 2020 Attitude ACC Supreme Award winner Grace Stratton

Nominations for the 2021 Attitude Awards have opened today, calling for Aotearoa’s unsung heroes leading the way in the disability community. Celebrating New Zealanders excellence and achievements in the disability community, the annual televised event recognises athletes, employers, employees, young people and other game changers. Nominations for this year’s awards are open from now until July 23rd.

Last year’s Attitude ACC Supreme Award winner was 20-year-old Grace Stratton, who was recognised for her incredible work bringing accessibility and inclusion into the fashion industry. Auckland-raised Grace co-launched All is for All, an accessible communications, media and talent agency, with her friend Angela Bevan in 2019. Grace, who uses a wheelchair, understands the challenges of purchasing garments online only to discover they aren’t usable for someone who lives with a disability. All is for All seeks to solve this simple problem for millions of people around the world, by designing an accessible e-commerce space that reframes how designer garments are spoken about.

Grace’s achievements since launching All is for All are extensive, but include contracting more than ten models with disabilities and working with over 20 designers, showcasing at New Zealand Fashion Week 2019, as well as providing consultation work for 18 people with disabilities in advisory roles for The Warehouse Group, Bumble, Estee Lauder and more. Grace was a Young New Zealander of the Year finalist in 2018 and was named one of InStyle’s ’50 Badass Women for 2019’. She is a full-time student at AUT, studying a double degree in law and communications. Grace accepted the Attitude ACC Supreme Award in front of a sold-out crowd of friends, family and members of the disability sector.

Now in its 14th year, the Attitude Awards will present nine categories including Attitude ACC Employer, Spirit of Attitude, Sporting Endeavour and Youth Courage Award. The awards will take place on Wednesday, 1st December with a televised black-tie gala dinner at Auckland’s Cordis Hotel.

Attitude’s CEO Dan Buckingham, a Paralympic gold medallist who uses a wheelchair after sustaining a spinal cord injury aged 18, said the awards are not only a fantastic night of celebration, but also play a crucial role in raising awareness of the benefits of integrating people with disabilities into every aspect of life in Aotearoa. “We’re incredibly proud to share stories of success and achievement in the disability sector through the Attitude Awards, and we continue to be blown away by the amazing nominees that come forward year on year. If you know someone who deserves to be nominated, or indeed are that person yourself, we’d love to hear from you.”

Other 2020 winners include Libby Hunsdale, winner of the Youth Spirit Award for her incredible resilience and budding acting career, Hamilton City Councillor Timothy Young who received the Community Champion Award for his work improving the city’s public facilities for Kiwis with disabilities, and Jonathan Mosen, who won the Impact Award for his ground-breaking initiatives at Workbridge and efforts in advocating for the blind community.

For the 14th year running, ACC returns as principal sponsor. On the awards, ACC Chief Executive Scott Pickering says: “The Attitude Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Aotearoa-New Zealand’s disability community. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to nominate a friend, family member, colleague, or employer who deserves to be recognised. The awards are especially meaningful for us at ACC because many of those nominated each year are, or have been, clients. We are proud to have played a role in their recovery, and to have supported them to meet their rehabilitation and life goals.”

Other sponsors and supporters for the awards include APM Workcare, Barfoot & Thompson, Sport New Zealand and Lotto New Zealand.

The Attitude Awards will be aired as an hour-long television special on TVNZ1 on Sunday, 5th December, with thanks to NZ on Air. The special will feature entertainment, winners and highlights from the evening.

For nomination information and entry forms, visit http://attitudeawards.org. Nominations close on July 23rd and finalists will be announced in late August. Winners will be revealed at a black-tie gala for over 500 people including figures from the disability sector on Wednesday 1st December, at Auckland’s Cordis Hotel.

The nine categories for this year’s awards are: Attitude ACC Employer Award, Community Champion Award, Enterprise Award, Impact Award, Sporting Endeavour Award, Youth Award, Spirit of Attitude Award, and Creative Award.