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Chairperson’s ReportThe foresight, determination and hardwork of the last few years delivered thepromised success for WelTec in 2012.This was not just a year of good financial management and a solidsurplus at the end of the year. It was more than outstanding academicoutcomes for our students and staff as evidenced by our improvededucational performance, it was the realising of a healthy organisationwith wide horizons and good connections, having a positive impacton the future of New Zealand.Research shows that education contributes to economic growth.Improvements we make to the education we offer will result inimproved economic performance - at an individual level for ourgraduates, at a business level for those who employ them and atregional and national levels as well. I am pleased to present this 2012Annual Report and the evidence it offers of WelTec’s contributions.A number of significant events in 2012 marked achievements thathave been years in the making.New Hospitality CampusWe launched a new hospitality campus in Cuba Street, Wellington inOctober, celebrating with Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills andEmployment Steven Joyce, as well as business leaders from thehospitality industry, secondary schools, funders and policy makers.The purpose-built facility is set to become New Zealand’s centre forcuisine and hospitality excellence with two institutes on site. Sharingthe building with us is our joint venture partner, Le Cordon Bleu NewZealand Institute which was opened by the Prime Minister John Keyin 2012.The campus site allows for close connections to the local hospitalityindustry, drawing on the region’s talents and resources, and the flowof graduates is expected to strengthen Wellington’s position as NewZealand’s culinary and hospitality capital. Our students are in theheart of Wellington’s hospitality industry, which gives them more workopportunities. It also provides industry a place to work with students– sharing ideas and exchanging knowledge. This fabulous facilityinspires student innovation and encourages creativity to thrive.The facility can currently take 540 students at any one time. Whenstage two is complete the capacity will increase to 700 students.Each Institute has its own kitchens and staff areas. Spaces such asthe lecture theatre, classrooms, training restaurant and barista/barlab are shared by the Institutes as is the Learning Commons.In total, $13m has been spent to develop the new campus. Thisinvestment in the central city’s food and beverage hub will helpfurther Wellington’s reputation for outstanding hospitality.Strategic PartnershipIn January 2012 WelTec and Whitireia formed a Strategic Partnership.This followed extensive research and consultation during 2011 onhow the two institutions could work together to increase benefits forstudents, communities and industry in the Wellington region. Thispartnership is ‘Students First’.The partnership is the first of its kind for tertiary education in NewZealand. While the institutions are each a separate entity their twocouncils were combined by Hon Steven Joyce on 1 January 2012.Later that month a Combined Academic Board was established toensure a consistent strategic direction on academic matters.Both institutions are committed to working together as partnersto increase the educational benefits and pathways for students inthe Wellington region, strengthen and enhance the overall qualityteaching and learning, improve the ongoing operational efficiency ofeach Institution and ensure the skill needs of industry are met.During 2012 extensive effort was invested by senior managementand the Council in shaping the Partnership, working through whatit means to be in a close strategic and operational partnership inthe same region; and with no precedents to follow. This involvedintensive, information sharing and planning. It resulted in a commonset of priorities for action and investment by each Institution over thenext three years.The priorities for the Strategic Partnership are set out and interwovenin the three-year Investment Plan that was approved by the TertiaryEducation Commission in late 2012.It is my goal to ensure that over the next three years the Strategicpartnership between WelTec and Whitireia delivers an enhancedand more efficient regional network of vocational educationprovision in the Wellington region along with greater efficienciesacross both institutions.Computer Power PlusIn 2012, as a joint venture with Whitirea and part of our StrategicPartnership, we acquired the assets of an information technologyPrivate Training Establishment (PTE). Computer Power Plus wasformerly the New Zealand operation of the Computer Power Institute- one of the biggest providers of IT training in New Zealand. It is alogical synergy with WelTec’s own IT offering and we were pleasedto be able to help the students when Computer Power Institute wentinto liquidation.Despite some challenging times and a change of ownership morethan 80 students graduated in 2012 with certificates and diplomasin business computing and business systems, network engineering,software development, and systems technology.It has taken hard work by the WelTec team to create a top qualityhospitality school in the CBD. It has also taken the support, and faith,of many people in our wide community of influence. The new campustakes our award-winning and acclaimed hospitality education closerto Wellington industry. It also provides an excellent and inspiringenvironment for staff and students.2012 ANNUAL REPORT | 17