Annual Report 2009 (PDF 2 MB) - Wellington Institute of Technology

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORTThe Trades Academy will allow students to choose from a rangeof subject areas such as Construction Trades, Technology,Engineering, Automotive, Business Retail Services, Hairdressing/Makeup, and Hospitality/Culinary Arts.An expected reduction of some $2.4m in Government fundingfor capital intensive trade training will take effect from 2011 andthis is a major strategic risk for WelTec. Our Chief Executive, DrLinda Sissons, has established a management team to reviewour options – these include growing revenue domestically andinternationally, more intensive and extensive collaboration andrebalancing our programme portfolio with a strong focus ondelivery methods.Flexible Programme DeliveryIn 2009, WelTec achieved an efficiency target whereby 10% of our160 programmes offer students more than one way of accessingtheir learning material. We intend to have 50% of programmesflexibly delivered in 2010. The delivery modes are on site, on lineand at the workplace. Flexible delivery is important educationallyby ensuring the student is effectively connected via the moststrategic delivery modes relevant to the nature of the programmeand the needs of the student.Campus DevelopmentThe Buildings and Finance Committees provided very goodsupport to campus development. Four major projects werebudgeted for 2009 and two projects were delayed by unavoidableplanning issues.The first project, involving the purchase in April of the previouslyleased N Block at Petone for $5.8m, marked the first step inthe consolidation of all trades training on one site. The secondproject involving the planned extension of N Block was held upby consent issues around car parking and work is continuing onnew initiatives to resolve these issues. The third project – theopening of a new plumbing and gasfitting workshop in May isnoted above.Substantial resources and time were committed to planningthe fourth project involving the development of a three way jointventure business in Wellington City with a New Zealand partnerand an international partner. Work on this project, which hascomplex interdependencies, is continuing.Late in the year, the Government announced their asset disposalpolicy, which will enable tertiary education providers to recover atleast 80% of the proceeds from asset sales. This is a very welcomemove and will now enable WelTec to include in our planning thereceipt of sale proceeds from the disposal of three redundant sitesonce all trade training is consolidated on the Petone site.International BusinessThe challenging economic environment meant our internationalenrolments were below the targeted level. Despite this, WelTecenrolled over 430 students (330 EFTS) from over 35 differentcountries. We have commenced work on a strategic review ofour approach to capitalising on the international market.GovernanceThe Council increased its focus on the management of riskfollowing a presentation early in the year by a senior director ofa major New Zealand public company. The International RiskManagement Standard (ISO31000:2009) was used, with externalexpertise, to update existing policies and practices that provide aframework for documenting, assessing, mitigating and monitoringstrategic and operational risks.These changes have led to an improved understanding of riskand risk management by Council and senior management andalso improved reporting. The Council is continuing to refinethe new approach and early in 2010 will formally assess anddocument its risk appetite and communicate this to management.The Council approved amendments to the terms of reference ofthe Chief Executive’s (CE) Review Committee. The amendmentswere based on best practice and input from the State ServicesCommission which approves the CE’s employment conditionsand annual remuneration recommended by the Council.Images from left to right:WelTec Visiting Internship Programme engineering students: Elizabeth Davis (Oregon State University) and Makenna Coe-Smith (Seattle University);Students enjoying activities during WelTec Orientation Week;WelTec international students perform a traditional dance during ‘International Week’ at the Student Hub, Petone Campus06WELLINGTON INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | 2009 ANNUAL REPORT