Rebecca Smith
Apprentice Training New Zealand (ATNZ) is thrilled to advise Rebecca Smith has been appointed to the newly created
position of Chief Executive Officer to lead the Group Training Organisation (GTO) organisation into its new exciting
phase.
ATNZ Board Chairman John Blakey said Ms Smith has a wealth of experience and expertise, vital to leading the GTO which
from Monday 02 August became a standalone entity, separate from Industry Training Organisation Competenz, with which it
has partnered closely since 2010.
“Rebecca brings strong strategic leadership combined with an impressive career in marketing and business. Most recently
the Executive Director of the NZ Story Group, Rebecca is focused on driving growth, acquisition, and retention. She has
more than 20 years of experience in marketing and brand leadership across various industries, including senior marketing
leadership roles with Fonterra, BNZ and Telecom. We are delighted to have a leader of her calibre on board”.
ATNZ is the country’s largest employer of apprentices in mechanical engineering and related industries. As a GTO, ATNZ
places their 360-plus apprentices into “host” companies where they work and learn their trade.
As well as the separation from Competenz, part of the government’s ongoing Reform of Vocational Education, Mr Blakey
said ATNZ has an exciting vision for the future. The GTO will expand to also become a vibrant and commercially
independent Private Training Establishment within the next two years.
Ms Smith joins ATNZ to drive this vision to fruition and lead the team of 22 staff from Monday 9 August 2021.
Mr Blakey said the ATNZ board acknowledge and deeply thank ATNZ General Manager Susanne Martin for the commitment and
energy she has brought to the role over the last three years.
“We want to express our gratitude to Susanne for all her mahi. We value how Susanne has always led from the front with
passion and grit: this was especially evident through the huge challenges of the global pandemic: on our people, host
and apprentices, and the organisation as a whole. This has put ATNZ in great heart, ready for what will be a significant
transformation over the next few years, and we are very appreciative.”