Education minister Chris Hipkins has announced the members of the establishment board which will replace the 16 polytechnics around the country into one national entity.
The changes will impact thousands of trade apprentices, including those in the heavy diesel and automotive sector.
The board is made up of 10 members and will be based in Christchurch. It will start work from August 5 and will continue until it is taken over by the governing council of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.
The board is chaired by Barry Jordan of Wellington and deputy chair Kim Ngārimu from Gisborne.
Other members include Shane Culham, Maryann Geddes, Kathy Grant, Dr Sandra Grey, Tania Hodges, Brett O’Riley, Dr Linda Sissons, and Peter Winder.
Ngārimu, Grant and Winder are council members of tertiary institutions Manukau Institute of Technology, Eastern Institute of Technology and Otago Polytechnic.
Dr Grey contributes the Tertiary Education Union perspective and O’Riley is chief executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association. Geddes is a board member of an industry training organisation and part of Queenstown’s tourism industry. Tania Hodges facilitates leadership-training programmes and has extensive governance experience. Dr Sissons is the chief executive of Primary ITO and Culham is active linking education and industry in Northland.
Hipkins says the appointments will bring “capability, skills and experience” to the institute.
“Together, they provide a New Zealand-wide perspective.
“They are based in Northland, Auckland, Gisborne, Hamilton, Wellington, Queenstown and Dunedin and have personal and professional links to other regions.
“The chair’s experience includes three years as crown manager at the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki.
“Selecting 10 members at the same time ensures strong governance from day one. They will form a board with a wealth of experience in vocational education, governance and financial expertise, cultural awareness, and an understanding of the issues facing the sector.” Hipkins says.
