News & Updates

Applied Powder Metallurgy Centre (APMC)

A recent breakthrough in the development and production of powdered titanium by Titanox Development Ltd has lead to the development of a new industry for New Zealand. The Titanium Industry Development Association (TiDA) has been established to assist in the promotion and up take of powdered titanium alloys by New Zealand industries. Over the past 12 months TiDA has been working with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic to develop an advanced powder metallurgy research centre which will undertake research, component testing certification, fast prototyping and specialist metallurgy training. This centre is set to open in March 2010 and will feature state of the art equipment. The collaborative nature of this venture will see the TiDA and the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic working with four universities, crown research institutes (CRI’s) and commercial research companies to value add and develop uniquely engineered products.

Have a look at images of the building development.

Transport and Logistics Centre of Expertise - Feasibility study

The project team has now completed the study assessing the feasibility of establishing a Centre of Expertise in the BOP. The study involved discussions with the industry, regional development agencies, government stakeholders and academic institutions to establish the potential uses and demand for the centre. The project is a joint initiative with Tranzqual ITO and the BOP Poly. The concept is based on successful centres oversees.

The feasibility is now complete; download the final report (PDF, 1.2MB). The results indicate that there are a number of training issues that a Centre could assist in addressing. The project team are now working on a business case to ensure the venture is financially viable and sustainable.

Chartered Institute in Transport and Logistics (CiLT) Funding

The BDC team received funding from CiLT to support a joint project with the Supply Chain Management group within Waikato University to investigate options for higher level learning and research that could be offered at the Centre of Expertise. It will also allow options for pathways between lower and higher level qualifications to be explored. This project will be complete in July 2010.

Inc-u-baytor

The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic is partnering with Bay of Connections, the Chamber of Commerce and NZTE to develop a business incubation network for the Bay of Plenty. Called Inc-u-Baytor it aims to provide a focused service to help facilitate business success in start-up companies. This service is needed as there are a growing number of people, either graduate students (in applied technology trades), experienced working trades people and those seeking a new professional opportunities, including those that have been made redundant, who would like to start their own business. These people have the necessary technical skills but often lack the necessary business skills.

Inc-u-Baytor provides an environment that enables participants to build their confidence and develop the right skills tailored to meet their business needs. As part of a group participants can share experiences, in a supportive environment, and learn from each other. This type of support is a key element in developing and delivering a new business idea successfully.

For further information please call Phil Becker 027 288 6521 or email phil.becker@boppoly.ac.nz.

Biosecurity Training

The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has now trained over 500 people in Bio Security requirements. This contract was awarded to the Polytechnic by MAF to train exporters who have transitional facilities for cargo. There are around six thousand of these facilities currently operating in NZ. All transitional facilities require transitional facility operators to meet MAF certification requirements.

Plenty of Flavour

The BDC team were involved in assisting to organise the local culinary competition ‘Plenty of Flavour’. Winners were Mount Bistro, Tay Street Beach Cafe and Two Small Fish. This competition allowed BDC the opportunity working with the local hospitality industry, local food producers, FoodBOP and Tauranga City Council to support the ‘buy local’ theme. Find out more from FoodBOP.

REINZ Training Contract

The BDC assisted the School of Business in securing a contract to deliver training on behalf of the Real Estate Industry Training Organisation, REINZ. This contract will cover the delivery of workshops covering six different Real Estate strands of the National Certificate in Real Estate and one strand of the National Diploma in Real Estate. These strands include Business Broking and Branch Manager. The workshops will be delivered across New Zealand by one of the Polytechnic’s experienced Real Estate tutors. The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has been teaching Real Estate programmes for over 5 years.