Te Pūkenga- Facing into the challenge of change –
By Peter Winder
Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, Te Pūkenga
Biography
Peter Winder was officially appointed Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, Te Pūkenga, in December 2022 after guiding the network through a reset and realignment as Acting Chief Executive since July of that year. Mr Winder has been involved at a governance level in the tertiary education sector for several years, including the establishment board of Te Pūkenga, and brings a wealth of experience in managing large and complex organisations.
Facing into the challenge of change
As a reader of Hospitality Business, you will know more than most about the challenges the last few years have presented; the hospitality and related service sectors have had a rough time of it. You’ll appreciate the year ahead will come with its own hurdles.
If you’ve heard of Te Pūkenga, you’ll more than likely know that it’s an organization that has also faced – and will face – significant challenges. Like you, we confront these and actively seek the opportunities and innovations needed for us to thrive. And, like you, we do so with those we serve in mind.
In bringing together the vast experience and expertise of the network of polytechnics and industry training organizations, Te Pūkenga is on track to become Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier vocational education provider.
We have already started to leverage the many areas of best practice that sit in parts of the country and make them accessible to every employer, apprentice, workplace trainee and classroom ākonga (learner). Our mahi involves collaborating with the Ringa Hora (Services) Workforce Development Council to ensure that we develop the best outcomes for the learner and their whānau, our communities, the employer and industry.
Add to this the integration and expansion of the world-class online and distance options operating successfully within our network, and the options and opportunities for you are limitless. Leveraging these properly and well will take time and effort, but Te Pūkenga is committed to investing both to get the right outcomes.
We continue to work closely with industry, including those employers who are already engaged with local campuses and our workplace training divisions, and will involve industry and business associations, iwi, communities and all relevant stakeholders.
One of the leaders of this work is someone you may know: Andrew McSweeney, who led our ServiceIQ industry training division for many years, is now in my senior leadership team as Deputy Chief Executive of Learner and Employer Experience and Attraction.
There are already benefits flowing from the creation of a national network and cross-division groups. One example is the availability, should it suit your business, of free confidential counseling for workplace trainees and apprentices anywhere in the city, helping you look after the wellbeing of your people.
Employers are set to reap more during 2023 and beyond. While ākonga is at the center of all that we do, we know that, for on-the-job training especially, the employer and operation of the workplace are key. This is also recognized by the government.
The change in funding for vocational education has redressed the balance to better support in-work training and apprenticeships, resulting in the ability to increase the support for learners and the capability of staff.
What does this mean for you?
· You will see more proven workplace best practices.
· You will start to see more and better employer-focused innovation in on-the-job training, with appropriate and effective integration of workplace, campus and online options and solutions, including the use of micro credentials and just in time training.
· You will have more support as you upskill employees, whether straight from school or seasoned in a role and ready to take their career to the next level in your business; we have the ability to deliver the training needed to support career pathways for people.
· You will discover that the former polytechnic or industry training people – our Te Pūkenga people – that you already rely on to provide help, expertise and advice, will be able to give you access to more options and solutions than ever before. For example, if you want to get training for office staff as well as kitchen staff, you now have a one-stop shop.
That’s just the start.
As noted, there will be challenges to overcome as we work to achieve our shared vision. We know what many of the challenges are. We also know that there will be some that we didn’t see coming.
In every case, we will be looking for the opportunity – for you, your people, and all those with a stake in vocational education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Lofty as that might sound, it is grounded in doing what is right and best for all businesses and enterprises across the country – in hospitality and every other sector. After all, without strong employers, there is less demand for talented employees, with an obvious impact on vocational education.
In delivering better value for you, Te Pūkenga will succeed.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.
Peter Winder
Tumuaki | Chief Executive
Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Keen hospitality experts wanted –
The future of the New Zealand hospitality & tourism sector requires your knowledge NOW!
The New Zealand Culinary Arts Development Trust is seeking keen hospitality experts to show leadership and direction for upcoming students across all aspects of the industry, to join the 2023 team.
Position/Role: Competition Committee Member.
Term: 1 year (annually, option to reapply each year).
Positions Available: 5 – 6 Committee Members Nationwide (no set location).
Salary: ‘Voluntary’ (with perks, good vibes and warm fluffes for helping the next generation of culinary professionals).
The ‘Culinary Arts Development Trust’ (CADTrust) is an independent, charitable trust responsible for providing support and resources to enable New Zealanders to investigate and embark on hospitality career pathways. The CADTrust is responsible for overseeing and administering the funds to support Regional and National culinary arts competitions and annual culinary journeys.
The CADTrust has two trustees, Mark Wylie and Glenn Fulcher, whom both work in the hospitality sector. Their roles within the trust provide governance, guidance and support the Competition Committee achieve their annual goals.
backgrounds:
The CADTrust was formed in March 2016 has been running the NSSCC and NZCJ for the past 6 years (prior to that was run for 3 years by City & Guilds Pacific). In 2019 the trust formed a ‘Competition Committee’ to start the journey to hand over competition operations and logistics. However due to global pandemics, the trustees have remained active committee members, both organizing Regional and National events with the support of a small committee.
Check out www.nsscc.nz for more information on past events.
The role and what’s expected:
The Competition Committee role is a voluntary role. The trust is seeking hospitality professionals who love their industry and what to give back through culinary competitions and industry visits.
There are two main events the Competition Committee oversees and organizes:
- National Secondary School Culinary Competition (NSSCC)
- New Zealand Culinary Journey (NZCJ)
In its current format, the Competition Committee meets once a month from February to April and then overnight (where needed) from June to September each year. These meetings are conducted online over MS TEAMS and require some technical abilities. They are approximately 60 minutes in length and a further * 2 hours a week (estimated and can be adjusted with applicants’ abilities (both time and skills) to suit). *NOTE: This commitment shrinks and grows through the year depending on the event schedule.
The committee investigates and onboards sponsors, develops and implements an online regional event to find the 8 teams to compete at the National Final, builds a judging panel for both Regional and National events, organizes travel and accommodation, prizes, works with schools across New Zealand and plans and implements the NZ Culinary Journey where National Finalists visit local hospitality businesses and suppliers.
Other responsibilities include basic budgeting, communication plans, working with a marketing and social media paid role (also up for renewal) and more support activities to ensure events run smoothly.
It’s important to note that this event has run over many years, and although it always keeps redeveloping and adjusting to remain relevant, there is a sound and trusted model with templates and procedures in place.
What the trust needs:
The trust is looking for 5 to 6 Voluntary Committee Members who have some of the following skills;
• Hospitality Industry experience
• Competition experience (can be small or large)
• Organizational skills – be the person who loves to organize people, have skills to bring to the committee like; Online computer abilities, event registration experience, working as a team to allocate and compete tasks
• Work well within timeframes
• Marketing and or social media experience (1 x member to be strong in this field)
• Enjoy working with the next generation (competitors ages between 15 and 18 years of age)
• Knowledge of Secondary Schools, particularly NCEA credits in hospitality
• Strong professional networks and industry contacts – critical to the events
• ‘Can do’ and ‘Make things happen’ attitude
• Work within and manage budgets
• Previous Sponsorship or Marketing experience within a not-for-profit organization (1 x member to be strong in this field)
• Work well with others in a small committee with a common goal
• Affinity with the goals of the Culinary Arts Development Trust
If any of these things sound like you and you really want to help the hospitality sector grow and retain amazing young staff, then please get off your butt and apply for this role. Again, it is voluntary, but the rewards are endless.
The Trusts new committee (some past members will be applying and possibly retained) will have the scope to understand, develop and grow these events (and possibly more) to a new level of engagement. Exciting times are ahead and the current format is ready to explode.
The time is now.
Applications for these roles close 31st January 2023. The trust looks forward to receiving your application. Please email your application (covering letter and small hospitality CV) to [email protected] – If you have any questions about the role, please contact Glenn on 027 640 0127.