Building stronger pathways: GAN Global’s Executive Director visits New Zealand and Australia to advance work-based learning and apprenticeship excellence

GAN Global’s Executive Director, Kathryn Rowan, travelled across New Zealand and Australia to engage directly with policymakers, educators, employers, researchers, and apprentices who are shaping the future of work-based learning (WBL) and youth employment in the region. The visit highlighted the momentum across both countries to strengthen apprenticeship quality, foster inclusive talent pathways, and reinforce collaboration between industry and training systems.

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Showcasing research-informed leadership at the New Zealand VET Research Forum

The trip began in Aotearoa, where GAN New Zealand and Skills Consulting Group hosted the two-day New Zealand Vocational Education and Training Research Forum (NZVETRF). The forum brought together stakeholders from across the VET ecosystem to explore trends in TVET, employer engagement, and school‑to‑work transitions.

The event was opened by Minister Penny Simmonds (Vocational Education) and Minister Erica Stanford (Education), signaling the New Zealand Government’s deepening commitment to evidence-informed and industry-led VET reform. Kathryn delivered a keynote on the importance of quality apprenticeships, highlighting how cooperation between employers, training providers, and government can strengthen workforce planning and lift apprenticeship outcomes nationwide. Her remarks emphasized the role of employer networks like GAN in building agile, future-ready national skills systems. Read more about the event.

Forum discussions reinforced several priorities for the future of skills development in New Zealand:

• Building stronger industry engagement in program design
• Promoting “parity of esteem” between vocational and academic pathways
• Using research to strengthen labor market relevance
• Supporting young people through clearer school‑to‑work transitions
• Leveraging employer case studies to improve apprenticeship quality

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Celebrating apprentice success and industry innovation in Australia

Kathryn continued her trip in Australia, joining GAN Australia and its host, the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN), to celebrate the achievements of apprentices and the employers supporting them.

The visit included the 2025 Apprentice Training Awards, where apprentices, trainees, and Group Training Organizations across Victoria were recognized for their dedication, skills, and contributions to industry. GAN Australia announced its latest Women in STEM Scholarship, awarded to support young women’s progression in non‑traditional trades and strengthen gender diversity in critical sectors.

Kathryn reflected on the visit:

“Seeing apprentices grow, thrive, and discover their passions reminds me why I love my work. Meeting young people, industry leaders, apprenticeship intermediaries, and government partners making a difference on the ground was truly inspiring.”

Her visit also included meetings with:

• Westvic Staffing Solutions board
• Apprentices at Tasweld Engineering, where Kathryn met Chloe Cashion, the company’s first female metal fabrication apprentice
• Trainees at Wannon Water, including Daisy, Zara, and Jake, completing Certificate III in Business Administration

These conversations provided firsthand insights into how apprenticeships change lives, strengthen communities, and deliver real value to employers.

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AEN and GAN Australia launch new apprenticeship ROI calculator

A highlight of the Australia visit was the launch of a new Return on Investment (ROI) for apprenticeship programs research. Early findings reveal that for every $1 employers invest, they receive $1.46 in return, and the broader community gains $4.76 in social and economic benefits. This tool is a major step toward quantifying apprenticeships’ value and strengthening employer engagement.

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A regional commitment to stronger skills systems

Across both countries, Kathryn’s engagements highlights the momentum in the region: New Zealand is deepening its focus on evidence-based policy and industry-aligned VET pathways, while Australia continues to lead in employer‑driven models, celebrating apprentices and providing tools to strengthen program quality and inclusiveness.

GAN Global remains committed to supporting these national efforts and connecting them to global dialogue, ensuring that lessons learned in the region contribute to advancing high-quality and inclusive apprenticeships worldwide.