Industry experience an asset for Primary ITO Sector Manager
28 May 2025
Growing trusted relationships with industry is a vital part of the role for Primary ITO Sector Manager Mark Orr, who joined the team 17 years ago after running his own successful landscaping business.
Mark Orr, Sector Manager, Landscaping, Arboriculture & Amenity
As a Sector Manager, Mark works closely with the landscape, arboriculture and amenity parks and gardens sectors to grow training in these areas. Alongside business development and other tasks, Mark works with industry representatives and business owners to review existing training programmes and identify any skills gaps where training would be useful. He has been in the role for seven years, after 10 years as a Training Adviser.
Mark says close contact with industry is essential.
Raised in Hamilton, Mark initially completed an apprenticeship in carpet and linoleum planning after leaving school. A move to Perth led to a role in landscaping, sparking his passion for the industry.
“I really enjoyed the variety of the role. Every day was different, and each site had its own unique challenges to overcome.”
He jumped at the opportunity to start his own landscaping business with a co-owner, which they operated and grew successfully for eight years. Mark was pondering his next move when he was told of a Training Adviser role being advertised at HortITO (now Primary ITO).
Mark going through assessment paperwork
Mark worked as a Training Adviser for ten years, looking after landscape construction learners and employers from Taupō, up to the top of the North Island, before moving into the amenity and arboriculture sectors. He took the opportunity to upskill in the arboriculture sector, attending training days to learn the correct terminology, theory and practical skills.
“I let the arboriculture industry know that I had not come from that sector, which was great, as they loved explaining topics and tasks in the job they were undertaking. This really helped me to grow my knowledge.”
Mark especially enjoyed seeing learners complete their training programmes.
“Handing them their certificate was a real highlight.
“These days, it’s seeing past learners that have completed qualifications and started their own business. Or they are working as a leading hand in a company, and they’ve taken on the responsibility of training, upskilling, and mentoring an apprentice themselves.”
Witnessing first-hand the benefits for businesses and their staff, Mark believes that apprenticeships play an important role in providing a structured career pathway for workers.
Mark talks through assessment requirements with an employer
Mark gets great satisfaction from seeing an idea come from industry, get backed by industry, and go on to become a new training programme for industry employees.
“That is what we are here for,” Mark says. “It’s very satisfying to know you’ve been a part of that. We need industry support to develop and sign-off new training programmes. To get it from being an idea to being used, is hugely satisfying. He adds, “we listen to what industry is saying, they are at the heart of what we do.”
Outside of work Mark loves spending time with his wife and supporting his teenagers’ sports. He also enjoys rowing as part of a master’s team several times a week. The team has competed in local and national rowing competitions, with training underway for the next regatta.
Primary ITO has a wide range of work-based training options to suit your business, whether you work in landscaping, amenity, arboriculture, or another sector. Invest in your team in 2025 and reap the benefits for your business and staff. Find information on our horticulture training programmes here.