New manager for U-Skills trades academy

News Release

November 2011
New manager for U-Skills trades academy
Jacqui Phillips, the new manager of the UCOL-led U-Skills Central School Academy, will be a familiar face to many as she talks to schools and businesses in Whanganui.

Her background makes her a good fit to lead U-Skills and includes a period as Registrar of Electors for Rangitikei and Whanganui.

Jacqui took up the position of manager during October, in time to take part in the naming of the new academy. She says the title reflects the importance of partnerships with schools in the success of the academy.

It is part of Jacqui’s job to foster the partnerships with hub providers and develop new ones with other schools. “We have Awatapu College in Palmerston North, Makoura College in Masterton, Horowhenua College, City College and Intranz in Whanganui as hub providers, providing training for students on site.

“We are now talking to other secondary schools about identifying students for the places available to study at the UCOL campus.”

She already makes regular visits to Whanganui to talk to the hub providers and to other schools about their students taking part in U-Skills training.

Jacqui has been Office Manager for Vision Manawatu and was previously Trades Mentor in the Tools for Schools (now Trade Connections) initiative, aimed at addressing skill shortages and increasing awareness of available training and employment. She was Registrar of Electors for Rangitikei and Whanganui and worked for two years with Income Support.

With her husband, she is a partner in a maintenance and diagnostics engineering company in Palmerston North. She has been working for UCOL on contract since April this year, liaising with schools, including in Whanganui, on the concept of a trades academy.

ENDS

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