VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/31/14 -- The Industry Training Authority (ITA) is pleased to officially announce the appointment of Gary Herman as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. In addition, ITA has also announced it is appointing Jeff Nugent as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. Gary has served as interim CEO and Jeff has served as interim COO since August, 2013.
The appointments follow the recently launched B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint as well as recommendations made in The Industry Training Authority and Trades Training in B.C.: Recalibrating for High Performance (McDonald Report).
"I would like to congratulate Gary and Jeff, and wish them every success in their new roles," says Minister Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour. "This is a critical time for B.C.'s apprenticeship and trades training system, and I know Gary and Jeff will provide strong leadership as the ITA moves forward with implementing the recommendations in the McDonald Report and fulfilling the goals of B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint."
"Gary and Jeff have positioned ITA for success, working with industry, government and labour to enhance ITA capability and re-align training investment to better serve apprentices and employers," says Gwyn Morgan, ITA Board Chair. "I look forward to continue working with them to ensure B.C. has the right skills, in the right place, at the right time."
"I'm thrilled to lead ITA at this exciting time for skills training in B.C.," says Gary Herman, CEO of ITA. "ITA will capture this opportunity and work closely with our partners to ensure the voice of industry and labour is more clearly articulated."
"Building a closer relationship with industry will help ITA to be aligned with the economic needs of the province," says Jeff Nugent, COO. "I look forward to building a team that will understand what our customers need and the important role that ITA plays in ensuring that a skilled workforce is available in B.C."
Gary Herman joined ITA in January 2013. He began his career by apprenticing for seven years in three trades and is certified as a Tool & Die Maker and as a Die Sinker (forging). For the past twenty years, Gary has served in executive roles with several companies including ThyssenKrupp Fabco, VAE Nortrak and Ebco Industries.
Jeff Nugent has been with ITA since August 2004, joining as Strategy Officer. He has been involved in a number of strategic initiatives, including playing a key role in the development of the 90 Day / 9 Month Transition Plan and chairing a national working group overseeing the pilot of new assessment approaches for the Red Seal Program. Previously, Jeff worked as a senior analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
ITA will announce the details of its 90 Day / 9 Month Transition Plan next week.
Twitter hashtags: SKILLS4BC
Contacts:
For interviews, photos, or more information, please contact:
Susan Kirk
Director of Communications, ITA
Cel: 604-307-2122
skirk@itabc.ca
Jennifer Vallance
Edelman Vancouver
Cel: 604-710-6382
jennifer.vallance@edelman.com