Victor Klap
Financially we were hit hard with a 100% drop in revenue for 4 months. Fortunately, with the assistance of Government, our Foundation, and the incredible generosity of so many New Zealanders who supported our Urgent Appeal, we have been able to retain all staff and are well prepared to start up again.
In this COVID environment, you might expect that we would see a significant drop in new bookings. However, we have been extremely heartened to see enrolments steadily coming in since exiting lockdown. Given the stress of the first six months of 2020, we very much hope to play a part in supporting New Zealanders to come through this experience stronger.
I am incredibly proud of our hardworking team of 60+ employees whose combined efforts see us continue to deliver impactful courses and generate increasing student numbers. A key strategic focus going forward is to commit to fostering staff sustainability. The old days of overworking instructors is no longer acceptable. We are making a significant effort to create a sustainable workplace whilst still ensuring student outcomes are powerful.
Last year I signalled the development of our longer-term strategy which was about making our programmes more accessible to more New Zealander. This represents a commitment to delivering OB programmes outside of Anakiwa. We have made good progress over the last 12 months and have developed two new programmes which are being piloted this year: one is a school-based programme for Year 9-13 students at Heretaunga College in Upper Hutt and the other involves designing a mobile version of our professional courses.
A key focus of our strategic plan is to lift our game when it comes to sustainability and that includes supporting New Zealand’s climate change goals. We are obliged, like all NZ organisations, to play our part and I feel an urgency to accelerate our work in this area.
We have met with many stakeholders to test acceptance of our strategy and have been heartened by the positive response.
Most of you will know that I have decided it is time for me to step down from my role and pass the baton to my successor. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at OB and can honestly say this has been the best job I have ever had. It has been a great privilege to be CEO and I hope I have done the role justice.
As for highlights, there are many: being thrown off the jetty fully clothed, seeing 140 young New Zealanders being welcomed to the school looking terrified, and seeing them again 21 days later not wanting to leave.
Finally, I have met a large number of our donors and it has been a privilege to do so. None of what we do is possible without the generosity of our loyal and incredible supporters.
Farewell – it has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to lead this amazing organization and for me both a professional and personal high point in my life.
Hei konā mai – Goodbye for now. Victor Klap CEO
