New Zealand Refining Company Chief Executive Ken Rivers and educationalist Gwen Edge have been appointed as independent representatives on the NorthTec Council. These appointments are in addition to the four ministerial appointments that were made to the newly constituted NorthTec Council last month.

Mr Rivers brings over 35 years international experience in the oil industry to the position - and is a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and a past Council member of the Institute of Petroleum (UK). A firm advocate for higher standards in workplace safety, Ken has been instrumental in fostering a relationship with NorthTec through the Safe Trades programme. The refinery is also a key industry partner for NorthTec's Future Trades Centre. "We've been an enthusiastic supporter of this world-class facility right from its inception. To have such a wide range of trades training in a 'one-stop-shop' is a tremendous asset for local industry."

Mr Rivers said there are very good reasons for academia and industry to work together. "The continued growth of our economy depends on a talented and willing workforce with specialist skills that are readily applied in the workplace. Safe Trades is a good example of skills being nurtured in Northland - and NorthTec and their industry partners have been integral in raising capabilities and moving safety standards to a higher level. As a first time member of the NorthTec Council I will be working with my fellow Council members to ensure that the foresight NorthTec has demonstrated in skills training generates solid outcomes in the workplace, for the benefit of individuals, businesses and the community."

Mrs Edge brings more than 20 years of tertiary sector experience to her role as an independent representative on the NorthTec Council. Mrs Edge is NorthTec's Marketing Coordinator (Schools Liaison) but will be taking on her NorthTec Council role as a private individual because of her extensive experience in the tertiary education sector and not as a NorthTec staff representative.

Mrs Edge has worked at NorthTec for 24 years. Her passion for education and learning was recognised last year when she was awarded the inaugural award for Contribution to Learning that is open to administrative staff for her impressive work at NorthTec. Mrs Edge has volunteered for many projects and committees during her tenure at NorthTec. "Building and maintaining strong relationships is vital to NorthTec's future and has been a key part of my work with secondary schools in the north," she said.

Mrs Edge has also been a member of NorthTec's TIASA (Tertiary Institutes Allied Staff Association) executive for 22 years, serving as TIASA Chairperson for 10 of those years. She was also a member of the TIASA negotiating team which recently signed a new collective agreement with NorthTec of behalf of TIASA members. Mrs Edge was the administrative staff's representative on the NorthTec Council from September 2007 to April of this year.

"I have a real passion for youth and their learning and look forward to working with the other NorthTec Council members to ensure that NorthTec maintains its excellent teaching provision and continues to look for innovative ways to provide learning pathways for all students in the north."