Ivan Hodgetts

Ivan Hodgetts is Director Workforce Development, a joint role shared between the Southern Institute of Technology and Murihiku Regeneration. The partnership aims to align SIT's programmes with the regeneration strategy, so that education and training in the region prepare people for the opportunities emerging in Murihiku. Ivan works across both organisations to connect training with the region's current and future workforce needs. He brings together industry, iwi, schools, government agencies and communities to build pathways that lead to real jobs and help Murihiku adapt as its economy changes.

The role builds on Ivan's work as a Principal Advisor Secondary Transitions and his secondment to lead education and training workstream for Murihiku Regeneration. Ivan is an educationalist. He believes inclusive education and training should build identity, hope and purpose for every learner, because these help people find their place in the world of work and in life more broadly. His working life began at the age of 16 as a bicycle mechanic. He went on to earn a Master of Social Sciences with First Class Honours, and he has since run a career and organisational development practice and served as CEO of the YMCA in Invercargill.

Ivan is a fifth-generation Southlander and is an Associate Member of Hokonui Rūnanga, and Professional Member and former President of the Career Development Association of New Zealand.