As the number of apprentices in New Zealand's boatbuilding industry continues to rise, Boating Industry Training Organisation (BITO) has added a new Field Officer and Qualification Development Officer to its staff. According to a statement, the number of apprentices studying for a BITO qualification is about 600.
Keith Hammond, who has more than 25 years experience as an educator and trainer, was named the new field officer. A Royal Yachting Association and New Zealand Coastguard tutor, Hammond is also a qualified commercial launch master. The statement noted that Hammond has extensive experience as a commercial charter skipper in New Zealand and overseas. He will work with apprentices in both Auckland and Christchurch. This brings the number of field officers to five.
Noel Huggard has been named the new Qualification Development Officer. Huggard will develop new qualifications and oversee the quality assurance of existing qualifications. Huggard has 30 years experience in the engineering industry as a maintenance and installation engineer. He has helped build power stations for the national grid and spent eight years in the oil and gas industry, the last four as Training Officer, supervising 200 trainees, including 40 boatbuilding apprentices. He is also a Registered Assessor and a National Moderator.