Skills Active showcases major client Christchurch City Council

Christchurch City Council, one of Skills Active Aotearoa’s major clients, has more than 600 hard-working and talented people whose job is to make sport and recreation happen for the city’s people. To highlight the value of industry training for the recreation and sport workforce, Skills Active, the industry training organisation for sport and recreation, has showcased their client in a new video.

Jacquie Hibbs, customer and programmes manager for the council’s Recreation and Sports unit, says the team uses Skills Active qualifications across a range of job roles, from pool lifeguards and swim teachers through to exercise staff, team leaders and administrators.

Having access to formal on-job qualifications helps individuals to shine, and also ensures the team as a whole delivers a top-notch service, with Hibbs advising that, “having standardised training gives us confidence that we all have a clear understanding of what our vision is and what’s expected of us.

“While we bring our own personalities and uniqueness to the role, there is confidence that your colleague is saying exactly the same thing as you are, and there’s an assurance that consistency is delivered to the customer as well.”

Hibbs started at the council 20 years ago as a fitness instructor, before working her way up through leadership roles and into management.

Hibbs notes the council’s ability to offer people great career paths, supported through on-job training, helps to keep staff engaged and retains knowledge and skill within the organisation.

“So we are always looking to provide those opportunities to get a well-rounded team.”