Reports
Rural Fire Services (Dec 2016)
We recently completed a research project for the New Zealand Fire Service Commission to assist with improving the safety culture and practices in Volunteer Rural Fire Forces. Based in the experience of Principle Rural Fire Officers and 20 forces throughout New Zealand, this report entitled Improving the safety culture and practices of Rural Fire Personnel in relation to near miss reporting, highlights effective approaches to enhancing near-miss reporting and continuing to improve volunteers’ safety practices.
Read the report on the Fire Service website here
Educating Health Practitioners: What works? (May 2016)
This report is based on the findings of 27 projects funded by Ako Aotearoa between 2009 and 2015. These projects include research, evaluations and good practice publications. The collection of projects described reflects the diversity of sub-sectors and settings in the health sector; it describes what works for whom, the theories that underpin the teaching and learning situations, and the pedagogies themselves.
Non-completers in industry training (Oct 2016)
This research explores the reasons why some industry trainees do not complete their qualifications. It was undertaken between November 2014 and May 2015 to support on-going efforts to consider interventions to improve the rates of qualification completion by industry trainees and apprentices. It brings the voices of non-completing trainees and apprentices to inform the narratives on qualification completion in industry training.
Read Learning, life and work: Understanding non-completion of industry qualifications here
Principles of ‘on-job’ assessment for industry training (Oct 2016)
This guide describes what good practice in ‘on-job’ assessment looks like for trainees, employers and ITOs. It exemplifies four principles and describes the variety of practices based on talking with employers and trainees in large and small business and ITO representatives. It shows there is no single model for ‘on-job’ assessment. The principles highlight the need for all those in the assessment process to know what is happening, what is required of them, and how to do it.
Adult literacy and numeracy (2014-2016)
Research looking at a range of elements to support the development of adult literacy and numeracy has been completed in recent years. The first of these looks at progress with embedding literacy and numeracy in industry training organisations (September 2014). The evaluation of Pathways Awarua (August 2014) found this digital learning tool is being used in a thoughtful and informed way by educators and enables learners to consolidate and reinforce their face-to-face learning. The final report looks at whether programmes funded through the Workplace Literacy Fund were being delivered to priority learners, and what good practice in those programmes looked like (August 2015).
Read two of our reports on these studies here
Read other related reports here
Telling stories of change for Glenn Inquiry
Heathrose Research was contracted to research and prepare inspirational stories of change for the Glenn Inquiry. We worked with FitzBeck Creative to bring these stories to life through text, photos and videos.
Read the written report prepared by Heathrose here (PDF, 2 mb)
There are 7 stories of change (see below).
- Aviva – Family Violence Services
- Brent – A Hard But Worthwhile Journey
- Finding My Purpose On The Planet
- Jackie – Be Honest With Yourself
- Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust
- This is Who I Am
- Te Whakaruruhau – Maori Womens Refuge
You can’t be selfish in the country
Attracting and keeping people in in New Zealand’s Volunteer Rural Fire Forces (VRFF) is a challenge for some forces and likely to become a greater one for others in the future given the aging demographic.
Heathrose Research was commissioned to research what motivates people to join and remain a member of the VRFFs . The research was conducted through a literature review, a survey of 354 volunteer fire fighters in 10 Regional Fire Authorities (RFAs) across New Zealand, and case studies in seven rural fire forces.
The research uncovered three main motivators – a desire to give to or serve the community, a sense of responsibility to community, and a thirst for knowledge and social contact.
Download the report here (PDF, 2Mb)
Learning in and for work
Successful workplace learning is about a three-way partnership between learner, employer and tertiary education organisation. Each should have clearly defined roles and responsibilities: get these right and the rest will follow.
This was one of the key findings in research carried out by Heathrose Research for Ako Aotearoa. The report Learning in and for work was launched in late October 2014.
The report draws on more than 30 projects funded by Ako Aotearoa to identify both the benefits of learning in the workplace and the factors that make it successful.
Download the report from Ako Aotearoa’s website.
Success for Pasifika in tertiary education
The need for greater cultural awareness is one of the key findings in a report written by Heathrose Research for Ako Aotearoa.
The report, Success for Pasifika in tertiary education: Highlights from Ako Aotearoa-supported research identifies factors that contribute positively to improved outcomes for Pacific learners drawn from research across the tertiary education sector. A key recommendation is for more professional development for tertiary leaders and non-Pacific teaching and support staff to gain greater knowledge of cultural responsiveness.
The report takes account of 11 Ako Aotearoa projects undertaken between 2008 and 2013.
Read the report on Ako Aotearoa’s website
Learning Reps – Careerforce plans for future
The Learning Reps programme, set up by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, has been operating in the health and disability sector for some time. Careerforce, the ITO in the sector, has taken over administering the programme and commissioned Heathrose Research to investigate how learning reps were working at their best in the sector. Careerforce wished to ensure they were delivering the necessary support for Learning Reps to continue to ensure trainees can achieve the best outcomes for their learning.
Student voice: effective representation and quality
Student Voice in Tertiary Education Settings: Quality Systems in Practice, May 2013
Ako Aotearoa and the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations commissioned Heathrose Research to undertake research into how tertiary organisations can effectively use the voice of students to improve quality. The report, launched in May 2013, reveals that existing pockets of good practice need to be systemised across the entire sector. The information gathered has also been used to create a set of resouces to assist institutions to establish and scale up engagement with students.
Read more about the research and download the report from Ako Aotearoa’s website.
Electricity Supply Industry benefits from women employees
Ultimit Benefit – Women Trainees in the Electricity Supply Industry, April 2013
Heathrose Reseach found that employing more women in traditionally male-dominated roles shows women bring different skills to these roles. The research carried out for the Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation, ESITO (now called Connexis), has a great deal to teach employers, ITOs and others, said ESITO’s National Operations Manager Doug Pouwhare.
- Read more and view Ultimit Benefit here.
- View the video here (1min 42secs).
NZ’s health and safety system “not fit for purpose”
The Report of the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety, April 2013
Research carried out by Heathrose Research for the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety contributed to the Taskforce’s findings that New Zealand’s current health and safety system is not fit for purpose.
Heathrose Research completed three reports to the Taskforce on the nature of workplace practices in New Zealand organisations. Health and Safety Workplace Case Studies collated case studies of workplace health and safety systems in 10 New Zealand organisations. Director’s Views on Health and Safety explored the experiences of directors in their management of health and safety matters. Case Study Policy Themes provided a thematic overview of results from 11 workplace case studies of health and safety practice.
- Read the final reports of the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety here.
- Download Health and Safety Workplace Case Studies here (PDF, 630kb)
- Download Directors Views on Health and Safety here (PDF, 676kb)
- Download Case Study Policy Themes here (PDF, 317kb)
Guide to creating sustainable change
Creating Sustainable Change to Improve Outcomes for Tertiary Learners, Aug 2012
Heathrose Research was contracted by Ako Aotearoa to write a guide on how to plan and sustain change to improve teaching and learning within organisations. We found that successful project teams clearly communicate the relevance of the work to gain buy-in, and link well with existing networks to gather momentum and excitement for the work as it develops.
For more information and to download a copy of the guide, visit the Ako Aoteaora website.
Financial Literacy Course Evaluation
A pilot programme to train polytechnic staff to deliver financial literary education was evaluated by Heathrose Research. The Advanced Certificate in Personal Financial Management is being delivered by Massey University to staff at Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua. The evaluation was undertaken by Heathrose Research for the Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income. It considers the effectiveness of the pilot programme for both staff and students.
Download Evaluation of Financial Literary Education for Tertiary Educators here.