Careerforce CEO Jane Wenman has announced she will be finishing her tenure as chief of the industry training organisation.

The announcement comes as Careerforce transitions into Te Pūkenga as a business division of its work-based Learning (WBL) subsidiary on 1 September.

Rod Bentham will assume the role of director of the Careerforce business division of WBL, effective from 1 September.

Wenman first joined Careerforce as its CFO in September 2016, before becoming CEO in December 2018.

“It has been an absolute privilege to lead Careerforce through the last 4 years, albeit having to navigate the turmoil created by the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) and then COVID-19,” said Wenman.

“My six years with Careerforce have been a career highlight, and I can only hope that my next role will be with an organisation with the same sense of passion and purpose as Careerforce.”

Bentham is currently Careerforce’s GM of Learning Solutions and has been with Careerforce since May 2018.

He has nearly 25 years’ experience in vocational education and training, including tenures across both polytechnic and industry training organisations, and 10 years leading national qualifications services at NZQA. Pimm further commented,

Fiona Pimm, Careerforce board chair, said Bentham was a logical replacement to steer Careerforce through the next phase of its transition.

“He is well respected both within Careerforce and across the vocational education spectrum and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to bring to the role.”

Bentham said it is an honour to be given the opportunity to lead Careerforce.

“It’s also exciting to see the importance being placed on work-based learning within Te Pūkenga, and the recognition of learner scale that the transitioned ITOs bring to Te Pūkenga.

“As we enter the next stage of our transition as part of the work based learning subsidiary, my focus will be on harnessing the collective experience and passion of the Careerforce whānau. As an organisation, ensuring that the outcomes of our employers and learners will continue to be our top priority.”

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