Regional Business Partner

Aoraki Development Business & Tourism has teamed up with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI) to increase our support for business growth and innovation in South Canterbury. This partnership is part of a nationwide programme whereby 14 regions from around New Zealand have been selected as Regional Partners. ADBT is a part of the Canterbury Regional Partner network. The Regional Partner Network will allow ADBT to provide your business with better access to information about the services and funding available. ADBT is dedicated to working with you to provide a range of advice and support services, as well as access to funding to help your business grow. How can Regional Business Partners help you?

There are two key areas where we can help you:
– Capability Development
– Research and Development (R&D)

Capability Development
We will assess your business and direct you to suitable training courses, advisors, information and other public and private services that meet your particular development needs. In some cases you may qualify for a partial subsidy, in the form of a voucher, to help pay for the cost of services that will help you build your management capabilities.

Research & Development (R&D)
Business R&D is a key driver of innovation, business success and economic growth. Good ideas can lead to new products and services, smarter ways of doing things and a point of difference that sets your business apart. Regional Business Partners provide a range of TechNZ services to help your business grow through all stages of R&D – whether you are a small start up or a large established exporter. Funding can range from $1,000 to $1 million plus.

Capability Development vouchers

Under the new partnership ADBT will assess existing local businesses to determine what their needs are and assist them with a plan to help them grow. This plan will include relevant management up-skilling opportunities, connections with advisors and training.
Voucher funding will be offered to businesses where there is a clear desire to grow, innovate and bring benefit to the local economy.

Priority will be given to businesses that can show high growth, export or potential to export, businesses will be considered for voucher funding where there is significant growth and innovation potential, or impact on the South Canterbury economy.

To qualify for a training voucher, a business must:
• have fewer than 50 full-time employees
• be currently trading
• be registered for GST in New Zealand
• be privately owned or a Maori Trust
• complete a business assessment with ADBT
• demonstrate a desire to innovate and grow

There are six steps in the process
1. Registration of the client business
2. Assessment of their capability and identification of training needs by ADBT
3. Development of an action plan by ADBT
4. Issue of a voucher for capability building services
5. Validation of the voucher with the Capability Service Provider
6. Follow up with businesses

Business owners will need to:
• Complete a Registration form which is available from the ADBT
• Participate in a one-on-one assessment with ADBTassess the level of management capability, to identify gaps and to identify any training needs 

ADBT will then:
• Develop an action plan for the business owner which will: 
    - Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the business 
    - Identify the priority areas for improvement 
    - Specify action points (as agreed with the client)
• Identify other business assistance available including organisations to contact and websites for additional information, advice and resources.
• Provide referrals to relevant government organisations as relevant (eg Ministry of Science and Innovation, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Export NZ, Business Mentors NZ)
• May issue a voucher to a specified limit for capability development which may be either training and/or one-on-one training

Vouchers
• The Regional Business Partner has the discretion to determine the value of vouchers up to a cap of $5000 (excluding GST) in any year
• Vouchers cover up to 50% of the cost of the course, workshop or coaching session.
• The business owner must provide matching funding of 50% of the value of the capability development service
• Only the business owner and their key managers are eligible for vouchers.
• Vouchers have an expiry date of three calendar months from date of issue. The expiry date refers to the date by which a voucher must have been used to book a service. (Note: The service itself does not need to be provided within the three months).
• A Capability Service Provider will validate the voucher with ADBT so a track can be kept of whether a business is acting on their action plan

Assessment Criteria for Issue of Vouchers
In considering if a business owner qualifies for a voucher, the following Assessment Criteria will be taken into account:
• The potential of the business for growth and innovation
• Commitment from the business to improving management capability
• There is an identified gap in the business’s capability that can be addressed through management capability building and training.
• Relevance to the region and the regional economy

To find out more contact ADBT's Regional Partner Advisors

Jeremy Liddy,
Business Services Co-ordinator
DDI: 03 6872736 
Email: jeremy@southcanterbury.org.nz

Fiona Stevens,
Business Assistant
DDI: 03 687 2682
Email: adbt@southcanterbury.org.nz

The following directory lists registered training providers for the Canterbury region, who offer services which are eligible for redemption of NZTE Capability Development Vouchers:

Registered Canterbury Training Providers


See Capability Development vouchers for further information