Canvas is accessible only within New Zealand and Australia.
Canvas is accessible only within New Zealand and Australia.
March 27, 2026
Competenz has reached a significant milestone in its transition to becoming a Private Training Enterprise (PTE), with the establishment of an Interim Establishment Board to guide the next phase of the organisation’s evolution.
The move follows extensive engagement with industry through the Shareholder Group process, which has now largely been completed. Potential future shareholders represent a strong cross-section of New Zealand industry, including Manufacturing, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Wood Manufacturing, and Print and Signmaking sectors. Fire Protection Association New Zealand is currently undertaking due diligence and remains supportive of the opportunity.
The Interim Establishment Board has been formed to oversee the incorporation of Competenz Limited as a Limited Liability Company and to support the transition from the Industry Skills Board (ISB) structure. The Board will be responsible for establishing the organisation’s constitution, shareholder agreements, and overseeing the procedural and financial transition, including the separation of some sectors currently supported by Competenz.
Phil O’Callaghan (Chair) brings extensive tertiary education and commercial leadership experience,
He has held senior executive roles at Lincoln University and currently serves as Executive Director at Volte, a strategic advisory firm focused on financial performance uplift, executive decision-making, business case development, and organisational productivity. Alongside his executive career, Phil has an extensive governance background spanning education, research, and agribusiness. His previous board roles include the Lincoln University Property Joint Venture (2017–2022) and Lincoln Agritech Limited (2017–2021), where he contributed to strategic investment, research commercialisation, and long-term asset development. He has also served on the boards of Agri One Ltd and LUAGRJF GP, and continues to hold a governance role with Turley Farms Limited.
John Wadsworth is a highly experienced tertiary education leader and former Executive Dean at Manukau Institute of Technology. He has held numerous governance roles and is currently Managing Director of ieRetail, working with major New Zealand organisations on retail training and consultancy.
Scott Lawson is Chief Executive of the Fire Protection Association of New Zealand and brings more than 30 years of experience across fire safety, engineering, and workforce capability development, alongside extensive governance experience in standards, safety, and industry training.
Sinead Hart is a senior legal and governance leader with significant experience across the education sector, including leadership roles at Te Pūkenga and Unitec. She brings deep expertise in public sector law, governance, and organisational reform.
This milestone marks an important step toward Competenz becoming a fully established Private Training Enterprise by 2027, ensuring continued strong industry leadership and governance to support work-based learning across the sectors Competenz serves.
