19 March 2020
A message from Fiona Kingsford, Competenz CEO
Kia ora,
We want to let you know what Competenz is doing in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Supporting our team
The health of our people is always our priority. We are following the guidance of the New Zealand Ministry of Health regarding requirements around self-isolation for any team members or their family members who have returned from overseas or have potentially been exposed to COVID-19.
Supporting you
These are unprecedented times, but it is also important that we continue to support you, our employers and learners too. At this time, we will continue to visit employers and learners and conduct our business meetings where possible.
Our Training Advisors and Account Managers may call in prior to a planned visit to make sure that it is okay to come by and to check on the health and wellbeing of learners and employers. Please don’t take offence – we are simply applying safe working practices.
We’re also trialling changes to the way our field teams work: for instance, your next scheduled visit may be a “virtual one” via phone or video call. You will be contacted ahead of time to make arrangements should you be part of this trial. If you would like a virtual visit, please let us know – we are here to keep you progressing through your learning.
Block courses, study groups and night classes
We understand you may have concerns about your apprentice/s attending off-the-job training in the wake of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
The health and safety of those attending our classes and courses are always top of our minds. We are guided by the expert guidance given by the New Zealand Ministry of Health and the polytechnics we partner with.
Following their latest advice, all classes and courses continue to operate as scheduled. Should circumstances change in this rapidly evolving situation, we will notify you as quickly as possible.
Important note: Anyone scheduled to attend a class or course should always stay home if they feel unwell.
If your learner becomes ill within 14 days of attending and COVID-19 is suspected, please advise us urgently by contacting our Customer Service Team on 0800 526 1800.
Events postponed
Many of the industry events we partner with or sponsor are no longer able to go ahead. If your event is postponed or cancelled, please let us know how we can support you should you wish to reschedule.
Remote working test
To test our ability to continue to perform as a business if our offices need to close for any reason, our staff worked remotely on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 March 2020. All Competenz offices nationwide were shut on these two days.
This test helped us ensure we have the right tools and processes in place to manage business continuity and learner support in case of any event that may lead to a change in the way we work.
We understand these are uncertain and challenging times. We continue to reassess the situation daily and we will update you of any changes as quickly as possible.
Stay safe and well.
Ngā mihi
Fiona Kingsford
Competenz CEO
