Education Taranaki Incorporated is a regionally focused education group, which strives to develop "an educational environment that supports and values lifelong learning, and is accessible to all people, so that they can participate in our social and cultural life and benefit from economic growth".

The consortium is represented by a diverse and extensive range of senior managers and principals, from a number of key educational players within the Taranaki region. The cluster is involved in a number of regional initiatives promoting education excellence in its various forms.

The purpose of the Taranaki Careers Website is to foster informed career choices, ensuring everyone experiences a smooth transition from education to employment. The website also promotes options for further development in your chosen field - learning and education does not stop once you get a job!
Education Taranaki Incorporated,
PO Box 8247
New Plymouth
Phone (06) 758 1617
info@edtaranaki.ac.nz


Education Taranaki Staff

Barry Finch JP
Executive Chair
I am currently completing my second term as an elected member of the New Plymouth District Council, having retired five years ago as principal of one of our city's largest secondary schools. Since then I have been involved in a wide range of community activities both within the council itself and the community at large, including having been the chairman of Education Taranaki for the past five years.

My delegated Council responsibilities include Chairman of the Len Lye Committee, Chairman New Plymouth Safer Community Council, Chairman New Plymouth Injury Safe , Chairman Regional Solid Waste Committee, Deputy Chairman of Policy Committee, Member of the Regional Land Transport and State Highway 3 Committee, Disabilities Issues, Iwi Relations, Mayors Taskforce for Jobs and the International Relations Committee. I am also involved as Chairman of Senior Care, Reference Board member of The Bishops Action Foundation, Reference Board Member of the Practical Education Institute, Reference Board Member of the Youth Transition Service and is an active member of the Taranaki Justices of the Peace.

I support the website and am excited to be involved in this project because I feel that Taranaki has a great deal to offer young people. By coordinating and centralizing the information available, we offer them the best chance possible to participate in the region and to benefit from its growth.


Margaret Sykes
Executive Director
BA (French and Italian) Victoria University of Wellington, PG Dip (French) University of Otago., currently studying for dBA Otago University.

Over the past ten years Margaret has acquired a broad range of management experience in both Health and Education. She completed her primary and secondary education in Taranaki, and has just returned to the "Top Town" in New Zealand to live. Prior to her recent recruitment to Education Taranaki, Margaret worked as General Manager of the Dunedin Urgent Doctors and Accident Centre, and before that, she was the Manager of the PhD and Scholarships Office at the University of Otago.

Margaret is really enjoying her new role in which she is able to link in with the young people of Taranaki, and work closely with the schools and tertiary organisations to foster and promote the entrepreneurial spirit of the region. "It is great to be part of this thriving province once again, with the strength of its core industries, oil and gas, and dairy, supporting our youth with employment and training opportunities. I am looking forward to working with industry and the community to ensure that our young people have the exposure to all the options, so that they can make the best choices for their future." The Taranaki Careers Website is a great starting place for information gathering, and is regularly updated. The Website is governed by a steering committee comprising a community development representative from the three Taranaki district councils, Youth Transition Services, and Careers Services NZ. These organisations all have an interest in ensuring a smooth transition from school to work or further training/education for our youth. The South Taranaki District Council has partnered Education Taranaki in this project since its inception.