Hannah Bashford, a 22-year-old automotive technician graduate, was celebrated this week as MITO’s 30,000th programme completion since its first National Certificates were registered in 1995.
Hannah is employed at Tasman Toyota in New Plymouth and recently completed MITO’s New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering (Level 4). She was presented with a special certificate by MITO Board member Dean Eggers (Managing Director Symons Transport Group) and a morning tea shout for the whole business.
MITO offers qualifications and training programmes for New Zealand’s automotive, commercial road transport, extractives, drilling, gas, and logistics industries. These industries represent six percent of New Zealand’s GDP and the achievement of 30,000 completions demonstrates the commitment within these sectors to training the next generation and maintaining a skilled, future-ready workforce.
MITO began recording its programme completions 30 years ago. 30,000 completions represents an average of 1,000 completions a year. This equates to over 80 completions a month, three completions a day, and one completion roughly every nine hours.
Verna Niao, Executive Director of MITO, says, “Reaching 30,000 completions shows just how invested New Zealand’s industries are in growing their own talent and preparing their workforces to meet future demand. It’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come and how many qualified professionals have begun their own contributions to industry over the last few decades.”
Craig Clarke, Chief Executive Officer at Tasman Toyota, agrees: “Investing in apprentices is vital for the future of our industry, and at Tasman Toyota we’re proud to help develop the next generation of automotive talent. Hannah has worked incredibly hard throughout her apprenticeship and has become a skilled, confident technician.
“Her qualification is also an important step in Toyota’s technician pathway – one that can ultimately lead to becoming a Toyota Master Technician, of which there are only 19 in the entire country. We’re proud that Tasman Toyota is home to five of these Master Technicians, and we’re excited to support Hannah as she continues her journey in the trade. We’re delighted to celebrate her achievement.”
Hannah has been in the spotlight before. In 2024, she won a national MITO competition that gave her the chance to join the rally crews of MITO Ambassadors and renowned rally drivers, Hayden Paddon and Emma Gilmour, at the Daybreaker Rally in Palmerston North.
Hayden Paddon was delighted to hear of Hannah’s latest accomplishment: “A massive congratulations to Hannah Bashford on being MITO’s 30,000th graduate! It was great to have Hannah at Daybreaker Rally in 2024 and to see her work ethic and enthusiasm within the motoring industry. We wish her all the best for the future and hope to see her at some more motorsport events.”
In 2026 MITO transitions back to industry ownership with the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. While its leadership will evolve, its mission will remain unchanged – to build trades training pathways that create real opportunities for learners, employers, and the wider industries.