Papamoa-based workplace training company Industry Skills Ltd (iSkills), which is already operating in Australia, is about to open an Auckland office and launch a forum to benefit trade-related industries.
Established in 2000 by Phil and Sharon Macquarie as Macquarie Training, the company has grown to include the founders and 10 staff, plus sub-contractors.
The company last month rebranded as iskills to reflect its core business of providing industry training, workplace assessment and management consultancy services nationwide and in Australia.
"We saw an industry need for work-based training assessment," said Mr Macquarie, who trained as an electrical technician in the power sector and serves as the company general manager and director. A key driver behind the move was the government's earlier decision to push workplace training out to the private sector, which had resulted in gaps in training, he said.
"We could see an opportunity mentoring people."