One of Wintec's longest serving council members and current Waikato District councillor Clint Baddeley will receive an honorary fellowship from Wintec for his contribution to the New Zealand manufacturing industry, to Wintec and to local community organisations.
A fitter and welder by trade, Clint Baddeley worked in the gas and freezing industries in Hamilton and in the cement industry in his hometown of Raglan for many years before embarking on a long career as industrial relations advocate for the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU).
Baddeley took on governance roles including 18 years on the Wintec Council, 10 of which he spent as deputy chair. He also spent the last decade as chair of Wintec's building and assets committee where he played a key role in the governance of Wintec's $90m campus modernisation programme. He retired from the Wintec Council in May last year (SUBS: 2015). He currently serves as Raglan ward councillor for Waikato District Council and is chair of the finance and strategy committee.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to receive something like this. I'm truly humbled," says Clint.
"My career was never planned, but it's been rewarding. Advocating for working people for so many years has been a highlight. Likewise, being part of the governance team at Wintec during a time of great change was very fulfilling. Over the years, I've seen it transform into a financially-sound education institute with a quality reputation."