New Chief Executive for ITF

The board of the Industry Training Federation (ITF) has appointed Mark Oldershaw as its new Chief Executive.  He replaces Jeremy Baker who left the Federation last month to head Learning State, the Industry Training Organisation for the public sector.

Mr Oldershaw is currently Director – Government Relations and Advocacy at Network Communications (NZ) Ltd and has held extensive roles in senior management across both the private and public sector.

ITF Chair Ian Elliott said Mr Oldershaw was well placed to drive the strategic direction of the industry training sector, married with government policy objectives.  Read more

Experienced builder finally gets his qualification

With changes to building licensing rules being introduced, the Building and Construction ITO is supporting experienced builders ensure their qualifications meet the new requirements.

Builder Peter Bennett told his story to the New Zealand Herald

Results from the International Boatbuilding Competition

Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway landmark was the inspiration behind the winning design at a boatbuilding competition held recently at the Auckland International Boat Show.

The competition, organised by NZ Marine Industry Training Organisation, had the teams competing for the highest standard of innovation, best quality of build and best overall presentation. Their task was to build outrigger canoes within a basic design, and apply their skills in composite, design, cabinetmaking and creativity to impress the judges.

See the results here

Skills Highway: Take the Test

The Department of Labour has developed a new tool called Take the test to help employers assess the literacy skills of their workforce.

Take the Test is a leaflet designed to help employers work out - in just five minutes - if a business is affected by poor workplace literacy and numeracy.

Department of Labour, Skills Highway Information and Promotion Manager Lisé Hutcheon says: “It collates the basic data a manager needs to talk about literacy and numeracy issues with colleagues.

Check out take the test here

ATTTO staff community spirit

ATTTO staff are getting behind community causes to help raise awareness among their industries.

For National Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon Appeal Day staff donned pink, decorated their workplace and shared a pink morning tea for a gold coin donation.  Next month they'll be dishing out strawberries and ice-cream at the Mary Potter Hospice Strawberry Festival in Midland Park on Wednesday, 9 November.

“We’re getting in behind these important causes to help raise awareness and show our support for our wider community,” says Kathy Wolfe, ATTTO Chief Executive (Acting)