MITO chief executive Janet Lane is set to depart as the automotive industry training organisation transitions as part of the Government’s new training reforms.
After 22 years working across the vocational education sector, Lane is stepping aside when MITO becomes Te Pūkenga Work Based Learning Limited on January 1.
MITO workforce development group manager Verna Niao has been appointed to the new role of director to lead MITO through the next stages of the reform.
MITO board chair Andrew Clearwater says the board fully supports and endorses the appointment of Niao to the role.
“Verna’s extensive experience in various roles within vocational education provides us with the utmost confidence that she will continue to foster her strong relationships with industry, stakeholders and employers as well as continue to champion the high-performing MITO team.”
He says the announcement “comes with inherent sadness that we’ll be farewelling Janet”.
“An ever-present advocate of our vision of enriching lives and inspiring futures, Janet’s legacy at MITO is simply outstanding.
“Certainly, a highlight of this year was seeing her receive the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to tertiary education and notably the wide-reaching and innovative projects that were delivered under her guidance that have significantly improved outcomes for learners and industry,” Clearwater says.
Niao says she is “thrilled” to take on the role and will lead MITO during a “pivotal time in the reform of vocational education”.
It will see “on-job, online and campus-based learning reimagined to further improve educational and workforce outcomes for learners, employers and industry”, she says.
Lane says she is leaving MITO in great hands.
“Having worked with Verna over a number of years, I will be leaving with the absolute assurance that our learners, employers and industry partners will continue to enjoy the high levels of service, responsiveness and innovation that our stakeholders value.
“I know that the talented MITO team, with Verna’s leadership, will continue to provide an exceptional contribution to the aspirations of Te Pūkenga,” Lane says.
MITO is the fourth industry training organisation to transition to Te Pūkenga Work Based Learning.
In August 2019, the Government announced it would be merging 16 polytechnics around the country into one national entity in one of the biggest training shakeups in decades.
This meant MITO was among polytechnics that will merge into a national entity called the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology to administer all students, apprentices and industry trainees.
