As chief executive of Connexis, Kaarin successfully led the transition into Te PÅ«kenga New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology and is now the Executive Director of the Infrastructure and Specialist Trades Divisions within Work Based Learning Te PÅ«kenga.
Growing up in Tairawhiti, Kaarin believes it is an exciting time to be immersed in vocational education and training in New Zealand as we move to increase work-based learning to support regional delivery and grow a local skilled workforce to build and maintain healthy and prosperous communities.
Prior to taking the reins at Connexis, Kaarin worked for the organisation in other senior roles including Head of Industry Standards and Marketing, and GM Customer Engagement, as Connexis implemented key infrastructure training initiatives such as the Civil Trades Apprenticeship Pathway, Girls with Hi-Vis® and the review of the water training programmes. Kaarin champions the Connexis Ultimit Brand, focussed on increasing the number of women in traditionally male dominated infrastructure roles. Kaarin believes increasing diversity and challenging the way we organise work to become attractive to the next generation is key to driving innovation and productivity to meet the changing workforce needs.
Kaarin holds an MBA with distinction and Bachelor of Management Studies with honours from the University of Waikato.