This week Muka Tangata, and the five other Workforce Development Councils, celebrate the one year anniversary of our organisations.

Since 4 October 2021 we have been on a journey to grow our team, our presence in the food and fibre sector, and our understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead.

This first year has laid the groundwork for the mahi that we are well-prepared to continue.

Hearing and giving effect to the voices of the food and fibre sector through engagement with our partners – industry, tangata whenua, training providers, and learners – is at the heart of our role. We look forward to strengthening our relationships with industry, iwi Māori organisations and providers to hear about their aspirations and needs.

Our Initial Sector Workforce Development Plan identifies opportunities and challenges for the provision of vocational education for the sector. We are working on developing 14 industry specific plans to meet the unique needs of each industry.

We have worked with our WDC colleagues and with NZQA on the design of new skills standards, and in consideration of new approaches to national programmes. We have begun to consider new approaches to qualifications, standards and micro-credentials that will enable greater flexibility and responsiveness.

We’ve continued work to review and moderate qualifications and standards to best meet the needs of the food and fibre sector.

As part of our commitment to honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi our staff are continually focused on ways in which we can support Māori to flourish at all levels within food and fibre industries.

Thank you to all our kaimahi and supporting agencies for supporting us through our first year.