PEER VEET is a not for profit organisation dedicated to the education and employment of the highest quality Apprentices and Trainees every year employing, training and upskilling over 4,500 students.
"TechSoup New Zealand* provides a one-stop shop to purchasing products and licences, therefore saving time and research spent on finding affordable products.” - David Cocks, Training Services Manager, PEER VEET
PEER VEET is both a Group Training Organisation and Registered Training Organisation with over 25 years of experience in the training industry. PEER employs the highest calibre of apprentices and trainees and provides flexible, effective employment solutions for Host Employers. Qualified training staff who have vast knowledge and experience in the industry provide training to pre-apprentices, apprentices and trainees, and qualified tradespeople. Apprenticeships are offered in the following trades: plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, voice and data communications and business administration.
Providing an efficient training hub
The need for efficient, up-to-date computers and software is paramount for an organisation which trains over 4,500 students, plus employing 70 staff and over 500 apprentices and trainees in their chosen industry.
Technology plays an integral part in the organisations’ daily activities to deliver training and education to students. The challenge that PEER faced was having to spend time locating and researching places to purchase equipment at an affordable price, and having to uphold updated technology and licences.
As the training organisation is a not-for-profit and does not have a surplus to spend on technology, it is difficult to remain up to date with new technology, due to high purchase costs that put a strain on budgets. Therefore it was important for PEER to find an organisation such as TechSoup that would provide such services and benefits to the organisation, and reduce technology costs.
Solution
TechSoup has been providing PEER with hardware and software licensing solutions for the past 4 years through their donation & discount programs. PEER was supplied with high quality computers refurbished by a Microsoft Authorised supplier.
Additionally, warranties and support were available when needed plus operating systems and Office suites were provided to run on these computers. By accessing refurbished computers and licenses, they are able to run training programs across all devices and not be limited in services to students.
“In having these products available to us, it provides the organisation with relevant and up to date licensing, computer hardware, and software at an unparalleled quality and price,” says Training Manager, David Cocks, “therefore PEER is able to keep up with the latest technology and software available.”
Result
In being able to access the latest technology, the program enables apprentices on a low income to access their online learning resources, which provides the economy with a proficient and highly skilled workforce. PEER produces highly skilled tradesman such as Ben, who completed an electrical apprenticeship through PEER. After his four year apprenticeship, Ben graduated as an A-Class electrician and shortly after was employed by the Australian Submarine Corp to work on Australia’s Air Warfare Destroyers. Ben was appointed the youngest supervisor at ASC and contributes his success to the supportive training and top-notch resources at PEER.
“It is essential for PEER’s apprentices to not be restricted to their learning abilities. Having access to updated technology for participants is essential due to apprentices possibly not having access to computers or internet at home,” David says, “Therefore the technology received from TechSoup’s program has provided improved learning outcomes for PEER apprentices”.
For a not-for-profit that must maintain a high level of training to benefit and support its’ students, TechSoup assisted PEER in spending less time tracking down affordable and quality technology and more time providing high calibre training.
*TechSoup New Zealand is the name of the technology donations & discounts program operated in New Zealand by Connecting Up Inc. As an Australian-based organisation PEER Veet interacted with, and were supplied by, Connecting Up Inc.