On Thursday 19 September, Careerforce celebrate its 25th anniversary. On this day, back in 1994, it was officially
afforded recognition as an Industry Training Organisation for community support services (CSSITO).
Jane Wenman, Careerforce Chief Executive commented that “a lot has happened since, but we are very proud to have
supported the training and upskilling of tens of thousands of trainees and apprentices across our sectors”.
“The one thing that hasn’t changed is our fervent belief in, and absolute commitment to workplace-based training, and to
improving the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and
applaud the critical role that our employers have played over the last 25 years, and to their dedication and commitment
to training.
Back in 1994, Careerforce started as an organisation of 9 staff in Christchurch, and has now grown to an organisation of
160, working with over 1000 employers nationwide, and presently supporting over 15,000 trainees and apprentices.
Careerforce was first established as Community Support Services ITO (CSSITO) in 1994, with the trading name changing to
Careerforce in 2006. It took its current shape as a result of ITO consolidation between 2011 and 2016, including mergers
with Social Services ITO (SSITO), Building Service Contractors ITO (BSCITO) and Health Ed Trust (HET).
Fiona Pimm, Board Chair and Board member for the past 9 years also wished to recognise and acknowledge the thousands of
employers, and tens of thousands of trainees with whom Careerforce has worked with and supported. “Many of our trainees
and apprentices support some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people, and their commitment to upskilling is essential to
improving both their personal outcomes, and those they are supporting. I would also like to recognise Careerforce’s
staff. With the present vocational education reforms, there is a lot of change and uncertainty, but their commitment to
supporting better health and wellbeing outcomes has remained unwavering”.
Nurse Maude have worked with Careerforce since 2004, with over 1100 qualifications awarded to their staff over the last
15 years. Lucy Fife, Nurse Maude Learning & Development Manager attributes this longevity down to the partnership approach. “Careerforce met our needs, and worked
with us to develop a programme that suited our workforce”. Nurse Maude are strongly committed to investing in staff
training, with Fife commenting that “our staff are what makes our brand, and ensures we deliver a top-notch service to
our clients.” They are strong advocates for workplace-based learning, commenting that it “provides the opportunity for
workers to achieve occupational skills and industry-recognised credentials by focusing on extensive work-based learning
and practice.”
The reform of vocation education as recently confirmed by Minister Chris Hipkins, will mean that Careerforce won’t get
to celebrate another 25 years. However, Wenman comments that “we are working closely with officials as reform
implementation plans are developed, and remain absolutely committed to ensuring that the workforce development needs of
our sectors are championed as the new vocational system takes shape.”