The RBA will always be seeking to provide innovative tools to help businesses succeed and the recent signing of the MOU with Unitec Institute of Technology is testimony to this effect. Following extensive discussions, the formation of a stand alone “NewCo” with joint ownership and a management board of governance has been set up. Dr Ken Simpson the Business Development Manager for the Faculty of Creative Industries and Business at Unitec has been appointed to operate this “Newco” from premises in Rosebank in October 2011.
In establishing this new partnership both Unitec and the RBA have thrown away the handbook on business and education sector partnerships, with the signing of a new MOU. The ground breaking agreement – thought to be the first in the country between a tertiary education provider and a business association.

The MOU sets out shared goals for collaboration, and the establishment of a new joint venture to explore the potential for training and development, research and mentoring opportunities for 450+ businesses located in the Rosebank Business Precinct.
“Tertiary providers and the business sector often work closely, but we believe the scope and intention of this new partnership redefines the potential of that relationship,” says Unitec CEO Rick Ede. “It is completely intended. Unitec has a pro-active strategy to work with key community, business and employer groups, in new and innovative ways to fulfill our duty as a major contributor to the social and economic prosperity of our region. We are absolutely delighted to be on this journey with the RBA.”
The core work of the joint venture will be to provide business capability assessment for Rosebank businesses, to tailor training and development programmes, to support applied to research projects, and to provide expert knowledge and mentorship, at both individual and strategic levels, from across the diverse range of programmes being taught at Unitec.