Bridging the skills gap: from EMBA to industry impact
Driven by a longstanding passion for developing people, Luke Mainwaring’s professional path has consistently centred on education and growth.
Prior to moving to New Zealand, Luke was recruited by the UK Government to promote engineering in colleges. He shares, “I was active in the engineering community.”
After relocating to New Zealand, Luke took up a role at Powerco, one of the country’s major electricity distribution companies. Backed by his employer, Luke enrolled in Massey University’s Executive MBA (EMBA) programme in 2020, aiming to build on his leadership skills and strategic knowledge.
It was during the Strategy module that a pivotal insight emerged. “Our group looked at practical skills in the power industry and realised there was a big disconnect,” Luke explains. “Graduates had the theoretical knowledge, but many lacked hands-on experience. This wasn’t just a minor issue – it was something holding the whole industry back.”
That discovery led Luke to pursue the topic in greater depth for his EMBA research project. His paper, Bridging the Graduate Practical Skills Gap in the New Zealand Power Industry, not only highlighted the gap but offered evidence-based recommendations on how to address it.
Following his EMBA, Luke was accepted as an affiliated member of Chartered Governance New Zealand and joined the board of Vocational Engineering Education New Zealand (VEENZ). But he wasn’t content with stopping there.
“I wanted to bring the research off the page and into the industry,” he says. “That’s why I submitted a paper to the Electrical Engineers Association (EEA) Conference in 2022. They had supported a survey for my research, and I knew it would be the right platform to get people’s attention.”
During his presentation, Luke laid down the challenge. He presented his findings and then asked the audience directly: who would be willing to help solve this problem?
“I passed a clipboard around the room and said, ‘If you’re interested in being part of the solution, put your name down.’ I was blown away when over 50 people signed up. These weren’t just passive listeners – there were consultants, contractors, equipment suppliers, EDBs, and generation companies all raising their hands.”
From this groundswell of support, Luke helped form a working group of 12 committed individuals to begin planning practical steps forward. “This is where everything I learned in the EMBA really kicked in,” Luke recalls. “We used tools like the Double Diamond design model to shape our approach. We did brainstorm sessions, stakeholder empathy canvases, and even ran Porter’s Five Forces to analyse the environment.”
The team also welcomed a PhD researcher who had independently been investigating similar issues in the industry, reinforcing the credibility and importance of the initiative.
What began as a research question quickly evolved into a real-world solution. In late 2024, the team formally established the Electrical Professional Practical Training Association (EPPTA) – a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organisation with a mission to “create practical training opportunities and facilities for the NZ power distribution industry.”
“Our vision is to build a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals who are not just qualified on paper, but also capable in practice,” Luke says. “That’s what the industry needs.”
To address the skills gap, EPPTA has explored four possible solutions: a single practical training centre at one location in New Zealand, several training centres, a mobile equipment solution, and lastly, to utilise the existing facilities that are available.
The team is preparing a full business case that considers geographic location, trainer availability, course content, funding models, and potential partnerships. Over 120 stakeholders across the power industry have expressed support, and EPPTA is now entering a new phase of marketing, advocacy, and fundraising.
“We’re almost at the stage where we can go back to the industry and say: here’s the plan, let’s make it happen,” says Luke. “And even if it doesn’t take off immediately, at the very least we’ve done the groundwork. We’ll have a clear understanding of the roadblocks and a few tried-and-tested solutions ready to go when the timing is right.”
Looking back, Luke credits much of his progress to Massey University and the EMBA programme. “Without completing the EMBA at Massey, the ability to do this work would have been minimal,” he says. “It gave me the confidence, the tools, and the structure to turn ideas into action. The modules on strategy, finance, leadership, and marketing played a part.”
He also acknowledges the continued support from his research supervisor and the wider EMBA teaching team. “Even after graduation, they’ve been there to support our journey. That kind of support makes all the difference.”
From classroom strategy sessions to leading a national training initiative, Luke has turned a skills gap into a mission that brings together a growing community of engineers and educators determined to build a stronger future for New Zealand’s power industry.
“Thanks Massey University – it’s been a game-changer.”