Hosted by SIT Chief Executive Officer, Bharat Guha, along with SIT senior leaders including Trish Lindsay, Nick Elder, Oscar Jenkins, and Dr Jacob Wood, the visit offered ICC representatives a comprehensive look at the breadth of programmes, facilities, and learning opportunities available in Invercargill, informing on SIT’s capabilities and the role it plays in supporting both regional growth and workforce development.
ICC management viewed SIT’s advanced teaching environments, including the newly refurbished nursing simulation suites, and saw Nursing students demonstrate training using emerging technologies, such as augmented reality headsets. They observed how the tools are used to replicate real-world healthcare scenarios, allowing Nursing students to practise responding to patients with complex conditions such as diabetes.
The delegation also toured SIT’s Creative Centre, showcasing the institute’s investment in high-quality facilities that support innovation across a wide range of disciplines. “…our creative centre is quite amazing… The scale and quality of SIT’s infrastructure provide a significant asset not only for our students, but for the wider Invercargill community as well,” Mr Guha said.
Beyond showcasing facilities, the visit opened discussions around opportunities for ICC staff to access SIT’s flexible learning options, particularly online programmes designed to support upskilling while working.
“We want to foster a better working relationship with the Invercargill City Council and for the management to be well informed of the span of programmes that SIT now offers,” Mr Guha stated.
There was potential for ICC’s more than 400 staff to benefit from SIT’s range of qualifications and flexible delivery options. “… they might be thinking of upskilling through our online management qualifications such as the master’s in applied management papers, or Master of IT,” available through SIT Online or HyFlex delivery. Employees could upskill and build capability without stepping away from their roles. “SIT’s ability to deliver accessible, work-integrated learning reinforces our role as a key partner in supporting organisational development across the region.”
“What management have seen firsthand gives them a better understanding of the range of professional programmes that SIT has. Also… they’re in a position of promoting the city though their connections and networks, so really it was a familiarisation visit and to build awareness and it reinforced our shared commitment to ensure Invercargill continues to prosper through education, innovation, and collaboration,” Mr Guha concluded.
Jamie Garnett, Group Manager - Capital Portfolio for ICC, noted it was great to see the practical skills being developed across engineering, mechanical and construction disciplines at SIT. “Developing that local capability is vital to delivering our capital programme and supporting Southland's future growth,” he said, adding “From a personal perspective, I’m keen to build a mini motorbike but I’m likely to get to that in retirement!”
ICC’s Matt Keil, Group Manager – 3 Waters, said the opportunity to collectively meet and discuss common interests was of real value, particularly from a resourcing/succession perspective. “We have a collective desire to attract some of the best graduate talent around and see mutual benefits between both organisations.”
Mr Keil was impressed with the level of investment made by SIT into key technology that students can actively work and learn with (i.e. nursing simulators and creative arts camera gear, through to the extensive facilities managed by the trades departments).
“All in all, it was a great afternoon out viewing the campus in operation. We thank the SIT team for kindly hosting us and providing the opportunity to view their operations up close and in person.”