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Business Graduates Boosting Regional Economy

June 13, 2017

EIT graduates are helping power Hawke’s Bay’s vibrant economy with most of those completing business qualifications last year securing jobs within the region.

The vast majority of the 55 who completed degree and graduate diplomas in 2016 – a record number for EIT’s School of Business – are employed.

Most are working locally, and the businesses employing them are diverse. They include companies specialising in regional infrastructure, providers of business services, manufacturers, the public health sector, building firms, retirement villages, food packaging operations, retailers, hospitality businesses, event security services and chartered accountants.

“That’s significant for our economy in all sorts of ways,” Head of School, Business and Computing, Rebekah Dinwoodie points out. Compared to those who leave the region for tertiary study, EIT’s graduates are much more likely to find work in Hawke’s Bay after gaining their qualifications.

“We carefully consider what businesses have to say about our students and graduates and we’re also an ear for local industries represented on our advisory
committees. We value these inputs in continuing to fine-tune our study programmes.”

The school’s final-year degree and graduate diploma students are required to gain real-world experience by undertaking industry projects or working as
interns, generally with companies in Hawke’s Bay.

The internships are opportunities for businesses to assess the suitability of potential employees and they commonly result in job offers.

“That’s a win-win for both parties,” Rebekah says, “and it’s also validating for teaching staff, who work hard to ensure students are ready to move seamlessly
into the workforce.

“Hawke’s Bay was among New Zealand’s top performing regions for economic growth last year.  It’s important that we maintain that traction by continuing to turn out well-educated graduates for jobs coming on stream.”