Our Team
Martin Draper
Director and Principal Consultant
Martin Draper is an experienced Educational Consultant and Senior Researcher with a demonstrated history of working in the education sector in developing nations. Skilled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and wider education policy research, development and reform, market research (qualitative and quantitative), competency framework development, qualifications development, assessment and quality assurance, he has over 25 years’ experience in the design of education systems and the development of frameworks to enable these.
He holds an MSc in Occupational Psychology from the University of East London, United Kingdom.
Before joining TVET International, Martin spent 13 years with Skills Consulting Group (SCG) where he ran the research unit for the Industry Training Organisation before transitioning to become SCG’s Principal Consultant, leading multiple initiatives globally to enhance skills development. Projects have included the development of national occupational standards for the financial services sector for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the design of assessment frameworks for the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of the Hong Kong Government, and the development of internship policy and frameworks in Botswana. In Fiji he reviewed the apprenticeship scheme and developed a monitoring and evaluation framework for the registration and review of Higher Education Institutions.
Martin is passionate about improving the working lives of individuals around the world and will work closely with you to design a bespoke solution that fits your country and organisation’s needs.
Simon Casford
Director and Principal Consultant
Simon Casford is a solution focused and highly skilled education management consultant with over a decade’s experience in the education management industry, including as Head of Strategy for The Skills Organisation and General Manager of Skills International, Head of Manukau Institute of Technology’s Business School, and Chief Executive of Learn Plus and Professional IQ College in New Zealand.
He is experienced in all aspects of education management and reform from education, industry and organisation research, policy development, and workforce capability planning through to quality assurance, programme development, assessment design and implementation.
Simon holds a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Planning, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Auckland.
Simon’s experience extends well beyond New Zealand, having worked on projects across the Middle East, Asia, North America, India and the Pacific. Projects include work for Chengdu University (China) to develop an innovative China New Zealand partnership in international education for a local joint campus; assisting the Chief Executives of eight New Zealand Polytechnical Institutes to contribute to reform the vocational education system in New Zealand; and the development of the Statement of Intent, Statement of Performance Expectations, and Quarterly and Annual Reports for Te Pukenga, New Zealand’s Institute of Skills and Technology.
As part of his work in the Pacific, Simon has assisted the Cook Islands Trades Training Institute with its vocational programme, and undertaken projects for the Commonwealth of Learning including to investigate the Pacific NGOs (Friend Fiji, and Save the Children - PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) capabilities, readiness and ability to participate in Open, Flexible and Distance Learning. Other projects for the Commonwealth of Learning include a review of IT and Data resilience across Fiji, Kiribati, PNG, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu; and a more detailed IT and data resilience needs analysis of Kiribati and Tuvalu.
Simon is passionate about ensuring education sets our young people up for success across all aspects of the education system. He will work closely with your organisation to ensure your work programme is a success.
Lesley O’Dwyer
Director International Partnerships and Projects
Building strong relationships is Lesley O’Dwyer’s speciality. As one of our most experienced Project Managers, she is adept at understanding and managing clients’ needs and overseeing projects to ensure delivery meets the complete expectations of our clients.
Hailing from a learning and development background, Lesley has held management positions across a wide range of industries, building up a wealth of experience in managing complex projects, guiding teams to deliver to deadlines and to a high standard. For the past five years, she has focussed on the project management for the delivery of educational reform projects in developing nations, working across the Pacific, Asia, Australia and Africa.
Her recent experience includes leading teams of education consultants to develop youth transition programmes for young people not in education, employment or training in Myanmar, helping to bridge the gap between school and skills for employment. She has worked closely with the Samoa Qualifications Authority on several projects including the development of policy and guidelines for the registration of trainers and TVET institutions in Samoa, and the analysis and development of educational pathways linking school to PSET. She has partnered with The Pacific Community (SPC) to develop pan-regional climate change and disaster resilience qualifications for the Pacific and worked alongside the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of the Hong Kong Government as they developed “on-job” training and assessment for trades apprentices.
Her project management experience coupled with her intimate knowledge of the education sector make her an asset to any TVET International project.
Bridget Dennis
Commercial Director
Bridget Dennis is an experienced senior leader who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of those around her. Bridget brings over 20 years’ experience working internationally with the past eight years focussed on the education sector where she was Senior Vice President and Director – International for Skills Consulting Group.
Having worked across the Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, USA, the Middle East and Africa, Bridget builds long and enduring relationships with stakeholders. As our Commercial Director, she works closely with clients to fully understand their needs and the context within which they are operating, ensuring clients receive high quality solutions that meets their exacting needs.
She believes in the transformative power of education and the importance of creating a system to equip our young people and those amid their working lives, with the skills and competence required by industry.
Our Associates
Hon. Magele Tafāfuna’i Mauiliu Magele
Principal Consultant - Samoa
The Hon. Magele Tafāfuna’i Mauiliu Magele is TVET International’s in-country education expert in Samoa. A highly accomplished consultant, Magele has over 40 years’ experience in education, leadership and governance, including as CEO of Samoa Polytechnic, Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa, Minister for Education, Sports and Culture, and Trade Commissioner to New Zealand.
He holds a Master of Educational Administration from the University of New South Wales in Australia as well as a Bachelor of Education, Teaching Certificate from the University of the South Pacific.
Having started his career as a teacher and instructor, he understands the education sector intimately. As an independent consultant, he has developed the TVET policy for Secondary Schools in Samoa, conducted programme accreditation for Don Bosco Technical Centre, and reviewed the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy as well as re-aligning the NUS TVET and SQA policies, amongst many other assignments.
Magele is a passionate advocate of the importance of education to Samoa. He believes in lifelong learning and formal recognition for such learning, along with programmes that are supported by industry and developed to meet both local and international standards to enhance portability of competencies and qualifications.
With over forty years of public service and private engagements he is experienced in the working of government, ministries, training providers and the private sector. He provides solid strategic and practical input to ensure clients achieve their desired outcomes and the best outcomes for Samoa and the Pacific.
Jim So
Consultant - Asia
Based in Hong Kong, Jim leads the expansion of TVET International’s partnerships in the region, connecting clients with the specialist, New Zealand-based team, to deliver innovative vocational education and workforce development solutions. With over 20 years’ experience working in Asia for multinational education organisations, Jim has networks across government agencies, commercial organisations, tertiary institutes, secondary schools, and in the vocational sector. He has been instrumental in leading the launch of new products in vocational education that enable the future of work, including digital upskilling, work-based learning and degree-level apprenticeships.
Jim brings an exceptional talent for truly understanding client needs, working closely with stakeholders in the vocational education sector to ensure that the solutions are delivered to international levels of excellence and create meaningful learning opportunities for participants.
Jim has been recognised for his work leading the Cambridge English Penfriends campaign that enabled schools and English learners around the world to connect and improve their skills, and in 2015 the University of Cambridge awarded him an Honorary Degree for Services to the University. He also holds a Master of Arts in Chinese Business and the Asia Pacific and a Bachelor of Engineering.
Garry Fissenden
Consultant
Garry Fissenden is an innovative, strategic, and future-focused executive leader with a proven track record in CEO, CFO, and CIO roles within the education, banking, and finance sectors across New Zealand and Australia. With deep expertise in leading strategy within the industry training sector, Garry has successfully driven vocational education performance, strengthened regulatory compliance, and expanded market presence. His experience as CEO of several private training establishments underscores his commitment to excellence in vocational education delivery.
With a strong commitment to achievement for Māori and Pasifika communities, Garry has embedded a focus on fostering long-term and lasting partnerships with core iwi stakeholders, ensuring that vocational education and skills development initiatives are inclusive and impactful.
Garry excels in fostering long-term partnerships with core stakeholders and has a strong track record of collaborating across complex stakeholder groups, including government, regulators, iwi, and commercial organisations, to drive meaningful change and innovation in the education sector. Garry's strategic acumen, coupled with his dedication to diversity, equity, and sustainable growth, positions him as a leader in shaping the future of vocational education and skills development.
Stuart Martin
Consultant
Starting out his career in the United Kingdom, Stuart is an experienced education consultant specialising in micro and digital credential policy & development, assessment design & writing, quality assurance, accessibility, and research. Stuart develops and writes assessments, designs quality assurance systems as well as quality assuring projects. He develops micro-credential and digital credential projects, and conducts significant pieces of research.
With extensive experience leading initiatives across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, he works closely with clients, industry stakeholders and government to create real-world solutions and strategies that improve industry capability and meet the needs of the market. Stuart has championed the development of digital and micro-credentials, designing policy and developing innovative vocational solutions to build industry capability as well as publishing thought leadership pieces and presenting at a number of conferences worldwide.
Stuart completed a Master of Arts through Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand and was recently awarded a micro-credential in leading beyond sustainability. He is passionate about vocational education and individual development and has utilised his experience and education to design new assessment principals, quality assurance standards and micro-credential solutions that are innovative, world class and deliver value.
Christine Yip
Consultant
Christine Yip is a Business Improvement Advisor, Advisory Board Certified Chair and Author with a passion for bridging board decisions to operation. Named Top 50 NZ CIO Chief Information Officer 2020 with over 15 years of experience of working in complex organisations with multi-stakeholder environments, she has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by leaders and teams.
As an author she has published an Amazon Bestseller book, Power Up - How to Improve Productivity and Innovation in 2022 and a Chinese open textbook, Strategy Consulting: A Guide for Executives Leading Projects, by The Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) in 2023.
What sets Christine apart is her genuine care for people and her commitment to building connections with a holistic view of business performance. She takes traditional oriental wisdom as its core, helping enterprises follow effective management improvement strategies and achieve their goals.
Joseph Robinson
Consultant
Joe is a collaborative, adaptive and outcomes focused Associate Consultant with TVET International Consulting. An accomplished facilitator, he works closely with clients across New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Asia, in the development and delivery of national occupational standards and qualifications. Leveraging his warm and engaging manner, he collaborates with subject matter experts, educational bodies, industry groups and employers to facilitate agreement on industry skill requirements, ensuring these achieve government and regulatory standards as well as the expectations of industry.
Analytical and thorough, Joe thoroughly researches existing frameworks, tools and resources to provide guidance and support in the design of programmes that have a practical and positive impact on industry capability. With experience working across multiple industry sectors from credit and finance, through to health and safety, climate change and the trades, he has been able to quickly learn and understand the vision and goals of these sectors and create solutions that have impact.
Joe holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours, majoring in English and Classical Studies. Along with a love of learning about education frameworks, Joe’s qualification and experience have provided him with robust knowledge and experience of research methodology, qualifications frameworks and competency standards.