The Star: September 02, 2021

The Star Thursday September 2 2021
ARA INSTITUTE OF CANTERBURY
Many opportunities for lab technicians
Over the past two years,
more than two million
COVID-19 tests have been
performed in New Zealand
alone. However, the
important work done by
laboratory technicians goes
far beyond helping fight
global pandemics.
“COVID-19 has shown
the world the importance
of high-quality lab testing,
but lab technicians do
important work across
many other sectors,” says
Dr Grant Bennett, Ara
Institute of Canterbury’s
programme leader for laboratory science.
Food manufacturing, environmental
monitoring, quality assurance, human
health, veterinary diagnostics and product
development are just some of areas lab
technicians work in. “This profession can
take you in so many directions and you
can make a real difference by helping
our community, our environment and
supporting local industries,” Grant says.
Ara Institute of Canterbury offers three
qualifications for aspiring lab technicians:
two diplomas and a graduate diploma. Each
is industry driven and heavily hands-on with
a focus on employment. Work placements
are included with the Level 6 diploma and
the graduate diploma.
“Our class sizes are small, our programmes
are highly practical, and our labs are
equipped with the same gear that’s used in
industry,” Grant says. “Students gain a broad
range of lab skills, but also many transferable
‘soft’ skills essential to employment, such
as workflow management, teamwork and
Nina
Ara student
communication.”
Michelle Knowler studied Ara’s Level 5
Diploma in Applied Science. “It’s a good
option if you’re straight from high school,”
she says. “It’s much more practical than
theoretical, which I really liked.” Michelle’s
goal is to take her skills back to Vanuatu and
to encourage more women there into science
careers.
After completing a Bachelor of Science
at Otago University, Sam Suzuki studied
Ara’s Graduate Diploma in Laboratory
Technology. He knew that the advanced
laboratory experience he’d gain, along
with the experience he’d get from the work
placement, would equip him with hands-on,
industry relevant skills that would make him
work-ready.
Sam was right. His work placement was
at Plant & Food Research and now he’s
employed there as a lab technician/research
associate within its annual crops group.
All three laboratory technology
programmes start at Ara in February. For
more details, see ara.ac.nz.
20
OPINION
Make an appointment
to dump your rubbish
THE QUESTION I have
been asked most by
people about alert level 3
is this – will the dump be
open?
I think the lockdown
has meant a lot of people
have been in the garden
and using the opportunity
to do some clearing out at
home.
So, here’s the answer
– under alert level 3 a
booking service has been
set up to allow access to
EcoDrop transfer stations
and recycling centres at
Metro Place, Styx Mill and
Parkhouse Rd.
They’re operating a full
service, allowing you to
drop-off general rubbish,
greenwaste and recyclable
materials.
To keep everyone safe,
you must wear a mask,
maintain social distance
and use contactless payment.
You can make a booking
on the Ecocentral website
–www.ecocentral.co.nz.
If you don’t have internet
access, and can’t get
someone else to make a
website booking on your
behalf, please phone the
free
denture
CHeCKS
Mayor
Lianne Dalziel
city council on 941 8999
and they can assist you
with making a booking.
News of the shift to level
3 was welcome to many
businesses, but there are
many who cannot trade
under these conditions
and we need to remember
them. Backing local businesses
is the key to our
economic recovery.
I understand the Government’s
caution. We
saw how quickly a single
case of the Delta variant
spread.
However, the risk of
community spread is
PHOTO: NEWSLINE
reduced with masks, social
distancing and meeting
contact tracing requirements
by signing in, and
Christchurch residents
have been really good at
following the rules.
The key now is getting
people vaccinated.
You can get the vaccine
if you’re aged 12 or over –
it doesn’t matter what your
visa or citizenship status
is. Book onlinehttps://
bookmyvaccine.covid19.
health.nz/or phone 0800
282 926.
Vaccinations protect us
all.
At Better Denture
we have a range
of services and
options available. new dentures > relines > repairs >
to support your
community
If you have a passion for supporting individuals
and families during challenging times and a desire
to create positive change in your community,
Ara’s Bachelor of Social Work will equip you with the
skills and knowledge needed to make a difference.
This highly practical degree has a strong bi-cultural
focus and includes extensive work placements to
ensure you graduate work-ready.
The Bachelor of Social Work
starts in February.
6 Brynley St, Hornby, Christchurch
Phone: 03 349 5050
www.betterdenture.co.nz
KK11743
Check it out today
at ara.ac.nz