Oliver Ho, a senior academic staff member in the built environment programmes at Whitireia and WelTec | Te Pūkenga, has been made chair of the newly created Emerging Wellington Hub of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
The CIOB, which is based out of the UK with offices worldwide, is the global professional body for construction management and leadership, founded in 1834 with a Royal Charter to promote the science and practice of building and construction for the benefit of society. The CIOB has an existing presence in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtautahi Christchurch, but this is the first time it will have formal representation in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.
“It is a real privilege to take on this role, which I see as greatly beneficial for our ākonga (learners) and kaimahi (staff) at Whitireia and WelTec | Te Pūkenga,” says Oliver. “It will be a fantastic way to connect ākonga, kaimahi and alumni with the highest standard of professionals in the built environment sector all over the world.”
Commenting on Oliver’s new position, Mark Oldershaw, Manahautū, Executive Director at Whitireia and WelTec says: “It is well known that Aotearoa New Zealand has a huge challenge ahead in terms of its infrastructure pipeline, and vocational education will be at the forefront of workforce provision for this. Hands-on, practical expertise is what will be required as ākonga graduate and get to work on New Zealand’s built environment. The more real world experience we can bring into our education and training, and the more connected we are with the sector, will ensure our ākonga are equipped with cutting edge skills and expertise. Having our academic staff, like Oliver, take on these industry positions is absolutely key to enabling this. I congratulate Oliver on his new role.”
The build environment programmes at Whitireia and WelTec | Te Pūkenga include Architectural Technology, Engineering and Quantity Surveying.
Oliver has been a senior academic staff member at Whitireia and WelTec | Te Pūkenga for two years, prior to which he lectured at Otago Polytechnic and Auckland University of Technology.
