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NZIM is a registered and accredited multi-site private training provider
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Five regional offices provide membership services, management short courses and professional qualifications, and customised resources and services to business. All regional offices are consolidating their wide range of short course programmes into approved certificates and diplomas. These provide responsive customised options for corporate customers, as well as being available as public programmes.
In our role of preparing current managers for management in the future, the Institute provides members with networking opportunities, management workshops and seminars, training and career development opportunities, professional accreditation and qualifications, management information, a member card and benefits package, a mentoring facility and scholarships and awards.
The Institute acts as the “voice of management” and undertakes advocacy activities and research. Our research activities include , The Management Capability Index. This index, which is adopted internationally to provide benchmarks, identifies how well New Zealand managers perform against different sets of management criteria. This survey complements the NZIM-Wevers Human Resource Management Index and the Organisational Effectiveness Survey that are also conducted among businesses on an annual basis.
Lead organisation for improving management practice
One of the major roles NZIM sees itself is to provide education and training opportunities that lead to real improvements in management practice throughout New Zealand. The Institute has developed and administers management educational qualifications through secondary and tertiary institutions on a national basis and through all NZIM Regional Offices. The Ascent of Management programme has been developed over many years and is continuously updated in close consultation with industry and the tertiary sector. More than 12,000 NZIM paper passes are registered with NZIM each year. NZIM’s role and vision are well articulated and long respected in the tertiary environment. We will continue to be the leading-edge providers of courses and processes that lead to improvement in management learning, and to set and maintain high standards that act as benchmarks for other organisations. We will better equip middle and senior managers to meet their current and future challenges, and to develop skills for tomorrow’s managers.
Learning focus is our focus on learning rather than teaching.
In terms of its educational and training programmes, NZIM ensures that there is real improvement in management practice. Our qualifications are designed to provide a supporting structure for adaptable, student/participant-centred, facilitated, work-based programmes. These are evaluated in terms of their ability to challenge and to provide management skills. NZIM values the use of mentoring and action research, coaching and work-based supervision. In the qualifications offered by other secondary and tertiary providers the focus is on student-centred learning. Our practical and accessible qualifications give students skills that they can apply in their day-to-day work or life experiences. The courses can be adapted to meet particular learning needs and student interests, and can be combined to provide a unique integrated experiential programme.
NZIM works in partnership with Large Corporates, SME's and otherproviders and courses are delivered by schools, polytechnics, and private training establishments and NZIM resgions. NZIM has moved away from the provision of theory-based approaches to education towards a range of processes and services tied to clear planning and evaluation of their effects. This is leading to the design of radically new models of qualifications and learning frameworks.
Contribution to New Zealand’s identity
NZIM was established in 1945 to assist returning soldiers with rehabilitation and settlement skills, and it has played a leading role in the education and training of managers in New Zealand ever since. Apart from courses offered through technical colleges and institutions, NZIM branches operated in many provincial centres and often provided the only tertiary skills training in those centres. Although the Institute has consolidated into four regional offices it still provides both public and customised programmes in many sites in New Zealand. In many ways NZIM has been a pioneer. It was one of the initial partners in the development of the NZ Diploma in Business, and participated in the first Business and Management Advisory Group set up by NZQA in 1992. It initiated training in occupational safety and health, and has led the development of project management courses. NZIM’s senior management courses are innovative and effective. NZIM continually reviews and develops existing and new programme to enhance programmes to provide a complete resource to enable middle and senior managers to meet the challenges of the future.
NZIM continues to be a staunch advocate of national standards and benchmarks in management and in 2001 was instrumental in the development of the Management Development Advisory Council to advise on ways in which management deficiencies and needs can be met.
The Institute has developed research tools that identify areas of need, and has representation on the current Business and Management Advisory Steering Group. NZIM plays an active role on the international stage. NZIM continues to be represented on most international management conferences and is hosting the AAMO (Asian Association of Management Organisations) conference Auckland in 2004. NZIM has recently launched a Foundation to provide grants and scholarships to people developing innovative ideas and practices in management. Contribution to economic development
NZIM National Office
The application of better management and leadership skills is critical to an innovative and growing economy, and hence to improve social well being. If New Zealand is to improve its economic performance it is essential that businesses are led more effectively and innovatively. The competence of managers at all levels and in different types of enterprise is a key factor in the capacity of businesses to adapt and grow, and is critical to the growth of New Zealand’s economic performance and social well-being. There are strong indications that we are failing to develop and apply management skills as effectively as we might. New Zealand is not alone in this, with a number of other countries reviewing and rethinking how this should be achieved. Management skills are high-level generic skills that are recognised as important to the growth of New Zealand under Strategy 4 of the Tertiary Education Strategy. If management skills are seen as critical, then they must be given greater priority in secondary and tertiary education, they must be learnt in ways that provide practical workplace benefits. They also need to anticipate change and innovation, so that people are able to embrace the future with equanimity.
NZIM aims to:
1. create an environment that provides incentives and support for today’s managers to develop their leadership and management capability
2. ensure the availability of programmes to enhance the capability of today’s managers. In the longer term NZIM is working towards putting in place an education strategy that will deliver learning that is effective in terms of developing and changing management practice.
Much of New Zealand’s management education struggles to keep up with best practice. If we want a dynamic and innovative economy, then we need to have a dynamic and innovative approach to management education.
This involves:
1. placing greater emphasis on management skills in secondary, tertiary and industry training
2. ensuring that courses are designed and evaluated on the basis of their enhancement of management practice
3. ensuring that providers have the capability to relate teaching to management practice 4. ensuring that management education is forward looking so we are preparing for what will come, not what has been.
Focus on key areas Middle and senior management
Despite the proliferation of MBAs and other academic post-graduate qualifications that purport to provide skills for middle and senior managers, there is concern that these programmes are not entirely successful in providing what these managers want and need. With its strong membership structure and corporate database NZIM is in a unique position to provide programmes that more exactly meet those needs. NZIM has been developing a suite of programmes and qualifications that provide practical management and leadership skills while linking to theoretical and conceptual perspectives that provide a longer-term framework for decision-making. These programmes will be subject to rigorous evaluation of their effectiveness. Small business The Trade and Enterprise Ministry has identified the small and micro business area as a key area requiring management skills, and also that traditional courses have not been able to meet the needs of small businesses very successfully.
NZIM has developed and administers a programme based around mentored action research, which enables small business operators to develop the skills needed to run their business through a supported programme of skill assistance. This qualification is currently being progressively offered through small to medium centres throughout New Zealand. NZIM has also reviewed its Certificate in Small Business Management to more clearly meet the needs of small business people, and is offering a Business Basics Course through correspondence. Foundation knowledge and skills Because enterprise and management have never been recognised as part of the core curriculum in New Zealand secondary schools, there is a clear lack of basic understanding about business and management in New Zealand.
The NZIM Certificate in Management is now being provided through about 100 secondary schools and our Regional Offices. It is recognised for NCEA and is considered the major business qualification in secondary schools. The qualification acts as a link to tertiary study and is taught as a foundation course in many polytechnics and PTEs. Mentoring Increasingly NZIM is developing the roles of mentoring, coaching and business supervision as key processes to ensure better management practice.
Focus on regional needs
NZIM has always maintained a strong regional influence in New Zealand. As well as connections with regional polytechnics and other tertiary providers, NZIM offers short course programmes and occupational safety and health courses in many different regions in the country. In 2004-2005 NZIM is initiating a strong push to develop a co-ordinated approach with other regional providers, such as the enterprise providers and the chambers of commerce. In 2003, NZIM has entered dialogue with regional providers in Northland, Rotorua, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Gore and other places. These approaches have started to bear fruit, especially in terms of the co-ordination of small business mentoring and training services.
Contribution to social and cultural development
Through its membership NZIM provides a range of focus groups, speakers, seminar programmes and events. These events develop and maintain dialogue about current management issues. This debate is continued through Management Magazine and through our well used websites. NZIM also produces regular newsletters, including a monthly Manager’s Update.
Participation in national policy development
NZIM’s contribution to the development of national tertiary education policy may be seen through the range of submissions we have made to TEAC and TEC, the 2002 government briefing paper , the formation of the Management Development Advisory Council, meetings with Skill NZ and TEC, NZQA, Industry NZ and Trade and Enterprise NZ plus meetings with various government ministers, discussions with Business NZ, the ITF, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, other business organisations, discussions with a range of tertiary education providers, conference papers and focus group discussions, articles in Management Magazine, membership of the Business and Management Steering Group.
Courses and qualifications
NZIM has maintained representation on the National Advisory Committee for Business Studies (NACBS) and the Chief Executive of NZIM National, David Chapman, is the current Chair. • Providers of our certificate and diploma programmes include around 20 polytechnics, 20 PTEs and one wananga and 5 NZIM resgional Offices. NZIM is represented on the advisory committees of many of these institutions and they remain in regular consultation with NZIM. • Around 12,000 NZIM certificate and diploma paper passes were registered in the year ending in March 2003 and it is expected that this number would have increased by 10% in the year ending in March 2004. • NZIM has close links with many universities, and consults regularly with them regarding courses and research programmes.
Collaboration and co-operation with other tertiary education providers and organisations Apart from the close relationship established through our partnership with tertiary providers in the delivery of programmes, NZIM has a number of special relationships with tertiary providers and other organisations such as ITOs, government training providers, and the training divisions of large businesses.
Treaty of Waitangi obligations
Commitment to the development of a policy NZIM has long had an interest in working with Maori people and organisations to develop good management practice appropriate to Maori, and over the last few years short course programmes have been provided on marae with considerable success, NZIM has been in discussion with Maori organisations about the participating in the delivery of management training in Maori rural communities, and we have developed a robust relationship based on a Memorandum of Understanding with te Wananga o Aotearoa. But at the same time it has been recognised that we need to do more. The National Board has over the last four months been discussing how to build a more proactive policy of partnership to meet the management needs of Maori. The key indicators of the success of a responsible policy to Maori can be seen through the extent of, participation, involvement, influence.
NZIM has always stood firm on our commitment to providing learning that is relevant to the learner, is challenging, and leads to real improvement in management competence. We wish to provide courses that people do because they meet their needs rather than their credentials. This is tied to our commitment to the financial, social and cultural security of New Zealand and its basis in citizenship of New Zealanders.
To meet the new challenges of education and the workplace NZIM needs to
Cconsult widely with diverse communities, clearly identify needs, be responsive to different learning styles and concepts, produce high quality adaptable learning programmes and pathways that meet those needs ensure that the programmes are accessible
NZIM needs to develop the facility to promote and maintain high standards, so that the programmes are intrinsically valued and sought after. It means that we need to choose processes not because they can be readily taught and assessed, but because they are effective. It means a much greater reliance on interactive electronic processes. It means the development of networks of other agencies, collaboration, alliances, and partnerships.
Meeting the educational needs of learners Qualifications are now the currency of education and training. NZIM has moved somewhat reluctantly to the formalisation of its programmes into qualifications, because of the dangers that the qualification, rather than the learning, becomes the aim. However the popularity of our programmes, we hope, lies more with their effectiveness than with their currency value. Our Ascent qualifications are derived from extensive (but often informal) consultation with a variety of industry and educational representatives, and often over a considerable period. We greatly value the regular feedback we get from a variety of sources, that enables us to revise our qualifications on a continuous basis. We promote open discussion of issues through our regular newsletters and visits to other providers. All graduate students are also asked to comment about courses, and this information is reviewed by NZIM before being fed back to the provider concerned. We believe that learning is not about merely regurgitating facts or ideas, but involves internal processes such as analysis, problem solving, application and reflection. We believe that these are requirements of all useful learning, and evaluate those aspects in all our assessments. .
NZIM Staff profile
Because NZIM has no full-time or long-term part-time students, the staff profile is somewhat different from that of most TEOs. Permanent full-time and proportional staff, in the National Office and the regional offices, have mainly administrative functions, while course developers, facilitators and specialists are contracted in to undertake their work. This enables NZIM to work very efficiently and adaptably, while using the best and most highly qualified consultants for specialist work. Consultants may be appointed for single projects or for longer-term functions.
All regional offices have a training manager, responsible for the design and co-ordination of the short course and qualification programme. These training managers have detailed understanding of training needs and the ability to adjust programmes to meet client needs. Most regional course facilitators are appointed on a performance contract on a course by course basis, with their position regularly reviewed as a result of feedback from participants and clients. The facilitators are appointed through a rigorous selection process, and are expected to have high-level academic credentials, considerable work experience, and tertiary teacher training. They also need to be committed to the vision and educational goals and directions of NZIM.
Governance ,management structure and principles NZIM consists of a national office and four regional offices (formerly Divisions) in Auckland, Wellington Christchurch and Dunedin. The regional offices are responsible for the provision of services to members. These include newsletters, speakers and discussion forums, resources, mentoring and other services. As well, the regional offices develop and provide a substantial public programme of short courses ranging from first line and supervisory management to executive development, and offer consultancy and mentoring work, and the provision of customised training to corporate clients. They also offer, assess and resiter NZQA quailifations and Unit Standards. The national office is responsible for research and advocacy, the development of national policy and strategies, the organisation and management of conferences and national seminars, the management of national contracts, and the maintenance of national and international networks.
Because of the functional independence of the different regional offices NZIM works with a federal structure. This means that each regional office has its own Chief Executive and Board that make decisions affecting the region. The National Board and Chief Executive have overarching policy responsibility, and regional offices are expected to work within that national policy framework.
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