Whitireia and WelTec | Te Pūkenga has celebrated 250 students graduating from over 35 programmes in business, IT, engineering and the built environment at an event in Lower Hutt.
Glenn Barclay, co-chair of the Wellington Regional Skills Leadership Group (RSLG), who attended said: “It is fantastic to see Whitireia and WelTec support workforce development in areas critical to the future of the region. It was clearly set out in the Wellington regionalworkforce plan that growth will be concentrated around certain sectors. This means we need to continue to train people to meet those needs, and that is exactly what Whitireia and WelTec is doing.”
Guest speakers at the event were two previous graduates who shared the story of their journey to jobs they love. The speakers were information technology graduate, Joseph Whyle, who after completing his degree in 2015 went on to work at Xero and Sharesies; and Maria Haddad, who is now putting her business qualification to use working for the Whitireia and WelTec International Marketing team.
Also present was Campbell Barry, Mayor of Lower Hutt, and representatives from Te Āti Awa and Ngāti Toa Rangatira.
Speaking to the graduates, Mark Oldershaw, Executive Director at Te Pūkenga said: “This is a milestone that acknowledges your hard work and commitment. Education can be a truly life changing experience – and seeing our graduates excited and ready for the future reflects what is possible for everyone. We know your next steps will bring credit to yourself, to your families, and to the communities in which you live and work. Mā te kimi ka kite. Mā te kite ka mōhio. Mā te mōhio ka mārama. Seek and discover. Discover and know. Know and the world of light is yours to behold.”
Wellington Regional Skills Leadership Group
The Wellington Regional Skills Leadership Group identifies and supports better ways of meeting future skills and workforce needs in the region. RSLGs are part of a joined-up approach to labour market planning that sees our workforce, education and immigration systems working together to better meet the differing skills needs across the country.
