On Tuesday 1 September, the inaugural MITO Industry Summit and Awards was held at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre. Over 200 senior stakeholders from across industry, government, education, and MITO’s employer and learner communities attended. 

Sturrock Saunders, MITO’s Chairperson, opened the event saying, “MITO’s Industry Summit is about bringing industry together with ambition and purpose—to exchange bold thinking, celebrate achievement, look ahead, and importantly, to uplift and acknowledge the vital work our industries do for New Zealand. Above all, we want to work together to continue shaping the future workforce our industries need to thrive.”

Hon. Shane Jones provided a keynote address for the Summit, focused on the importance of MITO’s industries for New Zealand’s economy and the value of industry training as a means of future-proofing New Zealand’s workforce. 

The Summit offered a thought leadership experience across economics, future workforce trends, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and leadership and performance. The presenters included Brad Olsen from Infometrics, David Galbraith (business and leadership coach), Mike Casey from Rewiring Aotearoa, and Dr Michelle Dickinson (engineer and technologist).

Te Radar, in his role as MC for the Summit, hosted a panel of current and graduate MITO learners and facilitated a discussion about their training and career pathways. The learners involved were Ashleigh Smith (extractives learner representative), Harry Shaw (automotive learner representative and 2026 Janet Lane MNZM Scholarship recipient), Fletcher Brown (automotive learner representative and 2025 Youth MP), Zivana Smith (commercial road transport learner representative), and Michelle Findlater (2025 Janet Lane MNZM Scholarship recipient).

Lee Marshall, Trustee of the Inspiring Futures Foundation (IFF), announced the 2027 IFF Scholarship Programme, with the news that the IFF will fully fund the Scholarship Programme with a generous grant of $700,000.00 over the next two years. This grant represents a significant increase in spend on the IFF Scholarship Programme and will enable the expansion of the programme at a time when new funding and cost pressures are impacting the training decisions of employers and learners. The objective is to support employers and our future workforce through MITO. 

Lee said: “The IFF is proud to be sponsoring a record number of MITO scholarships, especially at a time where the youth unemployment rate is the highest it has been for some decades and yet the shortage of skilled trades people is acute across the industries that MITO serves. Each scholarship removes or reduces a barrier to the next generation entering the workforce—and that’s exactly what the IFF exists to do.” 

Emma Gilmour, MITO Ambassador and New Zealand rally driver, was present and spoke to her role in inspiring young people to consider industry careers and the importance of industry training: “I’ve seen throughout my own career what a difference it makes when someone believes in you and gives you an opportunity. Our industries need to keep doing that for the next generation—investing in their training, developing their skills, and showing them the fantastic careers available.” 

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour opened the Industry Awards function, held in the late afternoon. These awards recognise outstanding individuals and organisations who are making a meaningful difference through industry training—from building skills and capability, to supporting learners, strengthening pathways, and shaping the future workforce.

Verna Niao, MITO’s Chief Executive, said, “This year’s winners showcase the outstanding talent within MITO’s industries—from highly successful leaders to those just beginning their careers. Their achievements are inspiring, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them.” 

Sturrock Saunders said, “The 2026 MITO Industry Awards celebrate excellence and recognise outstanding learners, employers, businesses, and industry champions.

“These awards celebrate something bigger than individual success: they illustrate what becomes possible when industry invests in people, when employers back learners, and when workforce development is genuinely led by industry, for industry.”