Glen West has is now leading the faculty he first began in as a student.
The New Plymouth man has been appointed head of the technology faculty, which includes hospitality.
The former Spotswood College student completed all his hospitality training at the Maratahu St complex, which was part of the Taranaki Polytechnic back in ??
“Colleagues of mine now were my tutors back then, like Denis Duthie, John Hudson and Caroline Shaw,” Glen says.
“Life’s funny isn’t it? They always say be nice to those on the way up.”
Glen also met his wife, Tetsu Garnett, while doing a hotel reception programme at Maratahu St, which used to be the old Westown Hotel. They now have two children, Oscar (4) and Chilli (2).
After training, Glen went on to work in Auckland restaurants and then crossed the Tasman for resort work. He landed jobs at signature restaurants and cocktail bars at Ayers Rock and on Hamilton Island and then worked the hospitality scene in Melbourne.
During those years, he also served some big names, including Tina Turner and Janet Jackson.
After his offshore stint, he returned home to manage Steps restaurant for two-and-a-half years, then headed into education.
In 2004, he started as a food and beverage tutor at WITT, became team leader in 2007 and moved up to head of department in 2009.
Now he’s head of faculty, which also includes hairdressing, beauty therapy, business and computing, engineering, oil and gas, automotive, electrical and the trades, plus external training partnerships in farming and road transport.
Glen sees his new role as both a support and leadership position.
“For me the amount of expertise within the faculty is extraordinary and I think it’s providing them with the resources so they can do their job to make it a successful faculty,” he says.
“I’m really excited about that relationship building, both internally and externally.”
He’s also a big supporter of the tutors at the polytech.
“I think as WITT moves forward with it’s challenges, it’s going to be that passion by staff that will lead to student successes and result in a high-performing institute within the region.”
Glen is also realistic and knows that with funding cuts next year, the institute will face challenges, but he is optimistic about WITT’s future.
Since becoming a HOF, senior management, especially Richard Handley and Virginia Hulbert, have supported his transition into the new role. “It’s a big step up going from one department to quite a few.”
However, he has been given the seal of approval from staff members throughout the campus. “People have been really, really excited. They love that it’s someone they know; someone passionate about training and passionate about the region. I have had so many emails of excitement and praise – it’s awesome.”