Employment News & Articles
Consultation on Recreational Safety Regulations for Better Compliance Efficiency
4 days ago | 187 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is proposing changes to health and safety regulations in the recreation and entertainment sectors to reduce compliance pressure while maintaining safety standards. The proposed changes include amending the definition of 'adventure activities' to differentiate between high-risk and low-risk activities, as well as updating the Amusement Device Regulations to streamline the permit process for transportable high-risk devices. Additionally, there is a focus on clarifying health and safety obligations for volunteer organizations to encourage voluntary activities while ensuring safety.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations Safety Minister health and safety regulations recreation entertainment sectors compliance pressure adventure activities safety requirements Amusement Device RegulationsProposed Changes for Innovation: Health & Safety Regulations in NZ Science Sector
5 days ago | 214 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is proposing changes to health and safety regulations to support innovation in New Zealand's science and technology sector by simplifying compliance requirements. The proposed changes aim to align hazardous substances requirements for university laboratories with their actual risk, addressing discrepancies in regulations that hinder scientific progress. Additionally, consultations are underway to remove regulatory barriers for the development and use of hydrogen technologies, with the goal of creating a flexible and internationally aligned regulatory environment to unlock the potential of hydrogen technologies across various sectors.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations and Safety Minister health and safety regulations innovation science and technology sector hazardous substances university laboratories regulatory barriers hydrogen technologies safety requirementsManufacturing Regulations Simplified for Safety and Efficiency
6 days ago | 186 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting with manufacturers, such as wood processors, bakers, and millers, to simplify machine guarding rules and review exposure standards in the manufacturing sector. The proposed changes aim to align standards with real-world risks and international benchmarks, addressing concerns about clarity and compliance burden. The review will also consider updating Workplace Exposure Standards for substances like wood dust and flour dust to ensure practicality and alignment with safety measures, aiming to reduce costs and stress for businesses.
Tags: Brooke van Velden manufacturers Workplace Relations and Safety Minister wood processors bakers millers WorkSafe inspectors Health and Safety in Employment Regulations Workplace Exposure Standards Mr SeymourBuilding Better: Minister Van Velden Spearheads Productivity Boost in Construction Sector
1 week ago | 165 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting with builders and construction professionals to simplify scaffolding rules and streamline the prequalification process, aiming to align them better with the level of risk. The current complex rules have led to overuse of costly scaffolding, impacting construction productivity and increasing building time and costs. Van Velden is also addressing the frustration with prequalification systems and overlapping duties in the construction sector, aiming to provide clearer guidance and improve efficiency.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations Safety Minister construction sector scaffolding rules productivity WorkSafe prequalification systems overlapping duties Approved Code of PracticeStudent Volunteer Army Receives $50,000 Grant for Youth-Led Response to Nelson Tasman Weather Crisis
2 weeks ago | 199 viewsYouth Minister James Meager has announced a one-time $50,000 grant to the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) to mobilize young volunteers aged 12-24 to assist in response to severe weather events in Nelson Tasman. The SVA will coordinate region-wide activities for the next four-to-six weeks to provide valuable assistance to communities affected by recent flooding. The initiative aims to engage young people in disaster response, offering them a youth development opportunity while contributing to community recovery efforts.
Tags: Nelson Tasman Student Volunteer Army Youth Minister James Meager Foxhill Sam Johnson disaster response community leaders youth development extreme weather voluntary workOver 80,700 People Transition from Benefit to Work in Past Year, Reveals Social Development Minister
2 weeks ago | 199 viewsOver 80,700 individuals transitioned from benefits to employment in the past year, reflecting the government's focus on facilitating job opportunities despite economic challenges. While the total number of beneficiaries has increased, particularly in Jobseeker Support, this aligns with seasonal trends and the government's efforts to provide enhanced support services for job seekers. Initiatives such as increased case management, community job coaching, and regular work seminars aim to assist individuals in securing and maintaining employment, with a focus on transitioning people off welfare and into work during the economic recovery period.
Tags: Louise Upston MSD benefit job seekers employment New Zealanders main benefit Social Development economic conditions case managementGovernment Focuses on Jobseeker Beneficiaries in Employment Programs for Next Three Years
2 weeks ago | 186 viewsMinister Louise Upston highlights the Government's focus on jobseeker beneficiaries in upcoming employment programs. The Ministry of Social Development's updated strategy emphasizes the importance of prioritizing beneficiaries for job placements. Efforts include targeted support for young people to reduce long-term reliance on benefits and increase employment opportunities.
Tags: Jobseeker beneficiaries Government Employment programmes Minister Louise Upston Ministry of Social Development MSD Young people Frontline staff Employment case management New Zealand.New Zealand's Employment Relations Bill: Boosting Business Confidence and Worker Opportunities
3 weeks ago | 294 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden applauds the passage of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, emphasizing its significance in fostering business confidence and employment opportunities. The bill will now undergo review by the Education and Workforce Select Committee to gather public feedback on proposed changes. Key provisions of the legislation aim to clarify employment arrangements, simplify the grievance process, and enhance flexibility in negotiations between employers and employees.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations Safety Minister Employment Relations Amendment Bill New Zealand businesses workers contracting arrangements personal grievance process Select Committee genuine contracting relationshipsGovernment Launches Enhanced Task Force Green Program to Support Flood-Affected Tasman and Marlborough Districts
3 weeks ago | 221 viewsThe Government has activated an Enhanced Task Force Green (ETFG) in response to flooding in the Tasman and Marlborough districts. “Enhanced Task Force Green funding builds on the Government’s commitment to support those impacted by this event,” Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston says. “The recent flooding has been a significant and adverse event damaging farms, homes, roads and bridges.
Tags: Government Enhanced Task Force Green Louise Upston flooding farmers growers assistance support job seekersBoosting Employment: Minister Louise Upston Leads Regional Events to Get Kiwis Into Jobs and Grow the Economy
1 month ago | 603 viewsSocial Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says a strong turnout for the first in a series of regional employment events reinforces a cross-sector commitment to get Kiwis into jobs, boost employment and grow the economy. Kicking off the MSD-led series in Levin, Minister Upston and officials met with representatives of around 30 employers and other stakeholders, reinforcing job opportunities across the Horowhenua and Kāpiti Coast regions. “It was great to attend this event, acknowledge the commitment of MSD and recognise the partnership with local employers,” Louise Upston says.
Tags: Louise Upston Social Development Employment Minister MSD Kiwis Jobseeker Benefit Horowhenua Kāpiti Coast New Zealanders GisborneRevolutionizing Vocational Education: New Industry Skills Boards to Shape Work-Based Learning for Economic Growth
1 month ago | 356 viewsEight new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will give industry a strong voice in work-based learning, ensuring the system delivers the right skills, in the right places, for a growing economy, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says. “The Government promised to disestablish Te Pūkenga and return decision-making to local providers and industry. The Industry Skills Boards are a key part of delivering on that promise,” Ms Simmonds says.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Industry Skills Boards Vocational Education Minister Te Pūkenga work-based learning