New chief executive and initiatives for Learning State

“In these demanding times, we’re here to help,” says Jeremy Baker, the newly appointed chief executive of Learning State, the skills and training organisation for central and local government.

“I’m excited about working with Learning State and our clients to help people step up to the challenge we all face, pick up new skills, and deliver excellent and cost-effective services to the public around New Zealand,

“We’re launching some exciting initiatives, including a skills recognition service, which will enable experienced staff to have their skills recognised in formal qualifications. This is an excellent service for those keen to advance their careers, or involved in redeployment.”

“We’re also offering learning programmes to develop the skills of aspiring leaders; a new set of qualifications to help people deliver effective, high quality and timely compliance services; as well as great induction packages which give newcomers a good overview of public service and their role within it.”

Jeremy Baker, who took on his new role yesterday, has been executive director of the Industry Training Federation of New Zealand for the past five years. During that time he worked closely with industry training organisations across all sectors, as well as many tertiary education providers, government agencies, and industry groups.

“I have really enjoyed my time working across these broad areas, but I’m now looking forward to focusing on supporting the work of people involved in central and local government.”

“Public service plays an incredibly important role in New Zealand society,” says Mr Baker, “and the opportunity to help people as they tackle the challenge of lifting the quality and effectiveness of services delivered to the public is a dream job.”

ENDS

BUDGET 2012:
Parliament Debate Live - Video Of Budget 2011
Keith Ng Interactive Graphic: How the Budget Breaks Down
BUDGET 2012 - FULL COVERAGE: Reports / Analysis - Press Kit - Reaction (from everybody) - Previews (from everybody) - Pre-Budget Announcements

Gordon Campbell: On the Budget’s Spreadsheet Victories

It wasn’t as if expectations were sky high, exactly. Chances are, it was always more likely that we’d be seeing Bigfoot rampage through the Beehive lock-up than catch a glimpse of a credible growth agenda from this government. More >>

Sludge Budget Report - Short The Dollar! MEMO: To international bankers FROM: C.D. Sludge Please short the dollar! It'll be good for both you and us. And you know you want to. Greexit, Eurogeddon... watch out... flight to quality and all that. Follow your instincts. The NZ Debt Management Office has been so surprised at the unprecedentedly low interest rates that it can borrow at that it has already entirely pre-funded the 2013 fiscal deficit - all $8 billion of it! More >>

Pattrick Smellie Comment: Doddling along the best we can hope forCriticising Budgets for lacking vision or imagination is like shooting fish in a barrel, but even so, this year's Budget again feels like a missed opportunity. Perhaps it's the intrusion of real world needs that means the government couldn't make better political use of the $558.8 million it expects to gather in its first partial asset sale. More >>