The Industry Training Federation is today honouring the outstanding contribution of departed Careerforce Chief Executive, Ray Lind.

"We would like to thank Ray for the considerable and invaluable contribution he has made to the industry training sector in his seven and a half years at the helm of Careerforce" says ITF Chief Executive Josh Williams.

Under Ray's leadership Careerforce has expanded its industry overage and seen significant growth, increasing trainee numbers by 133% since 2011. New Zealand Apprenticeships have also been developed and introduced in areas such as social services, youth work, mental health and addiction, brain rehabilitation, and community facilitation, with over 1500 apprentices signed up after starting the programme less than two years ago.

Another of Ray's outstanding accomplishments is the Kaiāwhina Workforce Action Plan. The five-year action plan for the non-regulated health and disability sectors was jointly developed by Careerforce and Health Workforce New Zealand, and recently refreshed at the half-way stage, at which point 31 of its 53 recommendations were already complete or well-advanced.

"Ray has been passionate and tireless in his advocacy for people working in the sector, and the power of work-based education to transform lives and health outcomes in the wider community" says Mr Williams.

"Ray has also been a strong advocate and leader as part of the Industry Training Federation. We will miss his wisdom, and his relentless focus on learner and industry outcomes. We will miss him very much, and wish him all the very best for the future."