New Chair for Industry Training Federation

Agriculture ITO Chief Executive Kevin Bryant has been elected Chair of the Industry Training Federation. 

Today's annual general meeting also elected Tranzqual Chief Executive Wayne Smith and re-elected Austen Banks (Competenz Chair) and Greg Durkin (Floooring ITO Chief Executive) to the board.

Mr Bryant said it was an exciting time for industry training.  “Not only is the role of Industry Training Organisations expanding, but we have a major role to play in working with our industries to drive the country through this economic recession,” he said.

ITF conference nearly at capacity

If you haven't registered for the ITF Conference get in quick - it's nearly sold out.

And since the last newsletter - two new international speakers have been confirmed.

Manfred Polzin is the Senior Consultant International Affairs, MBO Raad, Netherlands. The “MBO Raad” is the Netherlands Association of VET Colleges. The association represents all government-funded colleges for secondary vocational education and training and adult education in the Netherlands.

Gerald Burke is the Executive Director of the Centre for the Economics of Education and Training, Monash University, Australia. Professor Burke is a member of Skills Australia, the body established to provide advice to the Australian Government on Australia's emerging and future workforce development and skill needs.

New Zealand Superannuation Fund Chief Executive Adrian Orr has been confirmed as the conference dinner speaker.  Mr Orr, a former Reserve Bank Deputy Governor also has an interest in economic development of Pacific communities in New Zealand.

ITO help leads to dramatic improvement

ITOs don’t just arrange training, they can work closely with workplaces to help introduce overall improvements to performance and profitability.

Sceptics need look no further than this example from Auckland firm Jaedon Enterprises, which got help from the Apparel and Textiles ITO which led to dramatic improvements.

ATITO and Jaedon will be sharing their experience at the ITF conference next month.  They also feature in a new publication on industry training to be released before the conference. 

ITF welcomes Statements of Intent

The ITF has welcomed the release of Statements of Intent from two key government agencies - the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). 

There are a number of issues in both SOIs that support key points the ITF has made to government over the past few years and we look forward to working with both agencies towards them.  TEC has a priority to develop 'a policy and funding framework that addresses current anomalies in the funding and regulation of industry training'.  NZQA notes that increasing involvement of ITOs in the development of relevant qualifications supports the development of a more innovative, productive and higher performing economy.

It's not just about the rugby

Rugby World Cup 2011 is not just about the rugby.  Tourism industry leaders are keen to capitalise on the event and ensure that visitors to New Zealand have a positive experience.

Read how ITOs involved in the Service Industries Training Alliance are working with them to support that aim.