In this series we are introducing you to some of the awesome people who have been working hard behind the scenes as we move towards launching our new, independent tertiary education organisation, Te Mahi Ako.
Lorna Gillespie will be general manager of Education at Skills Active Te Mahi Ako.
Lorna is a lifelong educator, and physical recreation has always been central to her career. She started as a PE teacher, then a teacher educator and a university lecturer, before coming to Skills Active. In amongst all this she has always been actively involved in sport and recreation as an athlete, a coach and a parent.
The job of the Education team will be to enable success, and quality outcomes, for learners in the workplace. “We'll develop programmes that are part of an employment pathway. What that means is they will generally lead on to further training, and will be recognised within an industry, and across New Zealand – so they are portable.”
Asked why she enjoys working with clients in recreation, exercise, sport and performing arts, Lorna says: “They are my kind of people! I like being outside and being active. In our industries, by and large people are pretty passionate about what they do, and I can relate to that. Also it’s such a great way of learning, through movement.”
Lorna is excited about the establishment of Skills Active Te Mahi Ako later this year, and the potential for continuing to grow access and equity in vocational education. “Learning in the workplace is really powerful, and we our sectors will have the opportunity to build excellence in their workforce, through that learning.”