Kia ora koutou
I hope you’ve all been keeping well in your bubbles. The past few weeks in lockdown and waiting to see the extent of the outbreak and what this will mean for each of us can be a challenge. I want to share my thanks to those across our network who made sure our learners were able to quickly move to online delivery – ka pai, you made a real difference for our ākonga.
Recently we were pleased to welcome Connexis to our Te Pūkenga whānau with a virtual whakatau. Connexis is the second Transitional Industry Training Organisation (TITO) to transfer and bring a fast-growing base of infrastructure learners and employers who keep New Zealand connected. We look forward to working with them to develop a skilled workforce that continues to build New Zealand.
In line with this, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has approved the transition of the Building and Construction ITO (BCITO) to Te Pūkenga on 4 October. We look forward to welcoming them to our whānau next month.
You may have also seen the appointment of Toby Beaglehole as Chief Executive of Te Pūkenga Work Based Learning. Toby will start in the role on 4 October, with Acting Chief Executive Fiona Kingsford continuing to support the transition until the end of November. Jason Hungerford and Kaarin Gaukrodger have been appointed Directors of the BCITO and Connexis Business Divisions of WBL respectively. We’re pleased to have such a strong team supporting these key areas of on-job learning.
On 4 October the six new Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) will also become operational. They will work with their industries to develop and maintain a strategic view of the skills required, now and in the future. Their role is to set standards, develop qualifications as well as take on responsibility for external moderation and endorsing consent to assess for unit standards within their coverage areas.
We look forward to what the next month brings, and all the important mahi that will take place.
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa – Let us keep close together, not wide apart.
Ngā mihi
Stephen Town
Chief Executive
News from our friends
- Otago Polytechnic School of Design projects have been named finalists in the Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Design Awards 2021
- EIT Candidate Teachers gain news skills in lockdown practicum
- The Wiggles Record Vocals at SIT Sound Studios
- Connections with local enterprise driving students to automotive employment
