The first recipients of grants from the Inspiring Futures Foundation have been announced.

They include the development of a website and national network for women in the automotive industry, a student loan scheme, and a co-ordinator for a qualifications upgrade.

The Inspiring Futures Foundation was established to provide financial support for those working and studying in the automotive, industrial textiles fabrication, transportand logistics, drilling, mining and quarrying, and gas industries. It has assets of around $25million, largely in managed funds.

Inspiring Futures Foundation convenor Sturrock Saunders says: “It is our aim to have the greatest impact to our stakeholder industries, learners and the learning environment.”

The successful grants from the first round of funding are:

Women in Automotive Collective to develop a New Zealand wide communication channel and national network for women in industry
The Outdoor Fabric Product Association of NZ to fund a co-ordinator to lead and contribute to a qualification upgrade, allowing a level 4 qualification
Auto Super Shoppe Academy to fund a student loan scheme and assist the Auto Super Shoppe Academy apply for NZQA accreditation and Private Training Enterprise status
Perform-X Aotearoa to implement a three-year Growing the Transport, Automotive and Freight Workforce Ecosystem Project to help industries and employers access the skilled workers they need to grow over the long term.

“We are excited to have received this grant,” says Greg Hills, President of OFPANZ. We have selected Peter O’Connell to coordinate the review of our qualification with Hanga Ara Rau and MAST Academy. Having Peter’s knowledge and expertise will add so much value to this process.