Hundreds attend MITO summit
The chairperson of MITO says everyone involved in training needs to work together “to continue shaping the future workforce that our industries need to thrive”.
Sturrock Saunders was addressing more than 200 people when he opened the organisation’s inaugural industry summit and awards at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre.
Those attending on September 1 included senior stakeholders from industry, government, education, and MITO’s employers and learner communities.
Saunders, pictured above, added: “The summit is about bringing industry together with ambition and purpose to exchange bold thinking, celebrate achievement, look ahead and, importantly, to uplift and acknowledge the vital work our industries do for New Zealand.”
The summit offered a thought leadership experience across economics, future workforce trends, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and leadership and performance.
The presenters included Brad Olsen, of Infometrics, David Galbraith, who is a business and leadership coach, Mike Casey, of Rewiring Aotearoa, and Dr Michelle Dickinson, pictured, an engineer and technologist.
Te Radar, in his role as MC, hosted a panel of current and graduate MITO learners, and facilitated a discussion about their training and career pathways.
The learners involved were Ashleigh Smith, who was the extractives learner representative, Harry Shaw from automotive and the 2026 Janet Lane scholarship recipient,
Fletcher Brown from automotive and a 2025 Youth MP, Zivana Smith, who was the commercial road-transport learner representative, and Michelle Findlater, who received the Janet Lane MNZM scholarship in 2025.
Lee Marshall, as trustee of the Inspiring Futures Foundation (IFF), announced the 2027 IFF scholarship programme with the news the IFF will fully fund the scheme with a generous grant of $700,000 over the next two years.
This grant represents a significant increase in spend on the programme. It will enable its expansion at a time when new funding and cost pressures are impacting the training decisions of employers and learners. The objective is to support employers and the future workforce through MITO.
Marshall said: “The IFF is proud to be sponsoring a record number of MITO scholarships, especially when the youth unemployment rate is the highest it’s been for some decades. Yet the shortage of skilled tradespeople is acute across industries MITO serves.
“Each scholarship removes or reduces a barrier to the next generation entering the workforce and that’s what the IFF exists to do.”
Lee Marshall, centre left, announced the funding of the 2027 and 2028 Inspiring Futures Foundation Scholarship Programme
Emma Gilmour, MITO ambassador and rally driver, spoke about her role in inspiring young people to consider industry careers and the importance of training.
“I’ve seen throughout my own career what a difference it makes when someone believes in you and gives you an opportunity,” she said. “Our industries need to keep doing that for the next generation by investing in training, developing skills and showing them the fantastic careers available.”
Shane Jones, deputy leader of NZ First, provided a keynote address focused on the importance of MITO’s industries for the economy and the value of industry training as a means of future-proofing the country’s workforce.
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour opened the awards function held late in the afternoon. He said: “These awards recognise outstanding individuals and organisations who are making a meaningful difference through industry training, from building skills and capability to supporting learners, strengthening pathways and shaping the future workforce.”
Verna Niao, MITO’s chief executive, added: “This year’s winners showcase the outstanding talent in MITO’s industries, from highly successful leaders to those beginning their careers. Their achievements are inspiring and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them.”
Saunders said: “The MITO industry awards celebrate excellence and recognise outstanding learners, employers, businesses and industry champions.
“These awards celebrate something bigger than individual success. They illustrate what becomes possible when industry invests in people, employers back learners and workforce development is genuinely led by industry, for industry.” Click here to check out the award winners.
