Welcoming Awhina Paul to Plastics New Zealand

We’re delighted to welcome Awhina Paul, who has joined Plastics New Zealand as our new Workforce Strategy and Development Lead.

Awhina brings valuable experience in vocational education and workforce development, having worked alongside industries to understand their training and capability needs and develop practical learning pathways. Based in Te Awamutu, Awhina is passionate about helping industries build the skills and capabilities needed for a strong workforce into the future.

Here, Awhina shares a little about herself, what she hopes to achieve in her new role, and how she plans to work with businesses across the plastics industry.

Kia ora koutou,

I’m really pleased to have joined Plastics New Zealand as Workforce Strategy and Development Lead. My background is in vocational education and workforce development, and much of my work has involved working alongside industries to understand their training and capability needs and help develop practical learning pathways. I’m based in Te Awamutu, and outside of work I enjoy spending time with whānau, gardening and working on creative projects.

What I’m most looking forward to in this role is getting out and talking with businesses about the work people actually do, the skills and capability they need, and what will help build a strong workforce for the future. I’m particularly interested in making sure that any solutions we develop are practical, industry-led and fit for purpose — whether that means formal qualifications, shorter learning opportunities, workplace development, tools and resources, or something else entirely.

Over the coming months, I’ll be visiting businesses around the country, listening and learning about the plastics industry and building a clearer picture of what is working well, where the gaps are, and where there are opportunities to strengthen workforce development. I’m looking forward to meeting many of you along the way, so please feel free to say hello, share your experiences, or tell me what you think we should be looking at.

Awhina Paul
Workforce Strategy and Development Lead
Plastics New Zealand
awhina@plastics.org.nz

Please join us in welcoming Awhina to the team. We look forward to working with her and our members to support the development of a skilled, capable and future-ready plastics workforce across Aotearoa New Zealand.