Workforce Development Council CEO appointed

A significant milestone in the establishment of Workforce Development Councils, which will give industry greater leadership in the vocational education system has been reached with the appointed of its first CEO.

Waihanga Ara Rau is the first of the six Workforce Development Councils to appoint its Chief Executive, with the announcement that Philip Aldridge, currently Executive Director of Health and Safety Association of NZ, will assume the role.

Waihanga Ara Rau Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council shared the news of Alridge’s appointment this week.

Co-chairs of the Council, Elena Trout and John Chapman, welcomed Aldrige. Trout said, “We are excited that Philip will be leading and building Waihanga Ara Rau. We were impressed by Philip’s industry connections and knowledge of the vocational education system, along with his focus on equity and inclusion in his previous roles.”

He said, “It will be a privilege to lead Waihanga Ara Rau, which represents one of our economy’s most important industries. It will take a team effort to deliver the changes our industry needs. As a priority we must help to address workforce shortages and do more to support Māori, Pacific people and women to succeed in construction and infrastructure.”

Waihanga Ara Rau covers construction (including heavy, civil, residential, non-residential and related engineering) and associated industries and trades, as well as infrastructure, including water supply and drainage, gas supply, electricity generation and distribution, telecommunication, road and bridge building, and related engineering.

Philip will take up the CE role in mid-October.