Message from the AST Trust

A Busy Start to a Busy Year

We are straight into a whole lot of business for 2020, with the general election date announced, some generous budget commitments made, a continuation of a buoyant economy, and the consolidation of plans for the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE). A big part of RoVE is the creation of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) (working title), to bring all vocational training into one organsiation.

Significant detail has yet to be developed, i.e. how current trainees and apprentices will be supported in the transition, what the organisational structures and branding will look like, and how long this will all take. The appointment of the CEO for NZIST has been made – Stephen Town, CEO of Auckland City Council will begin the role late this year.

A big thanks to Kevin Sceats who has made a significant contribution to the AST over several years and has chosen not to seek re-election to the AST (ITAB) Board.

It seems I’ve spoken several times recently of ‘development underway’ to merge the Industry Training Association Building (ITAB) and the Apprenticeship Scholarship Trust (AST), yet each time we seem set to progress things something else in the sector changes. The trustees met on 14 February in Nelson to confirm that all transitional arrangements are now completed. Thanks to Grant Florence and his team for the work in achieving this. A big thanks also to Kevin Sceats. Kevin has made a significant contribution to the AST over several years, and has chosen not to seek re-election to the AST (ITAB) Board. The activities of ITAB and AST are now under one entity. As per the revised ITAB constitution, an ITAB Board exists, with two employer directors (Mike Craig and Dave Whitehead), one industry director (Brian Dillon), and an apprentice director (Samuel Rosser). The ITAB Board has appointed an ITAB Management Committee to oversee and mange the affairs of ITAB and AST. The committee consists of Brian Dillon, Dave Whitehead, Bob Monopoli, and Philip Woolf. The functions of this group will be defined as the new entity evolves, but there will be little change in the early stages.

Wishing you all the best for 2020.