Primary ITO’s Al Gordon celebrates 20 year milestone

From his first role as a Training Adviser, to his current role supporting workplace assessors, Al is passionate about helping people to have the right skills, knowledge, and confidence to perform their role in the workplace. 

“I hadn’t realised it’s been 20 years until it was pointed it out,” Al laughs. “The best part about working at Primary ITO has been the people – our staff, learners and employers.” 

Growing up in Gisborne, Al’s family grew a variety of fruit including grapes, peaches, kiwifruit and tamarillos, and he developed an interest in horticulture from an early age. He completed a Diploma in Horticulture Management at Lincoln University and during his study, took part in a horticulture exchange programme in Minnesota. He studied at the University of Minnesota while working in a 3,000-acre tree and shrub nursery. 

“I really enjoyed the experience although it was very cold; temperatures could reach 30 below zero,” Al says. 

Back in New Zealand, Al was employed at Tairāwhiti Polytechnic in Gisborne (now part of EIT). He held roles in the teaching, moderating and programme development teams over twenty-three years. Throughout he continued to learn, gaining a master’s degree with honours in adult education and other post graduate study. 

After moving to Auckland with his wife and young family in 2006, Al applied for a Training Adviser role at HortITO (now Primary ITO). 

Early days at HortITO

Since then, Al has worked in roles overseeing moderation, horticulture programme development, business development, and supporting the field team with technical knowledge and expertise.  

A highlight was receiving Ministry of Social Development funding to develop assessment and learning resources for unit standards (Te Whakamahi Whenua) based on traditional practices (tikanga) to engage and support Māori learners in the horticulture sector.  

“These are still being used today as part of the Primary Industry Skills Level 2 training, including in prisons to help grow inmates’ skills and help reduce recidivism.” 

Another highlight from earlier on was the opportunity to travel to support horticultural training initiatives in Samoa, Tonga, and Rarotonga. 

He was also proud to lead a project to assess employees in their first language (Tongan) at Alliance, a New Zealand red meat processor and exporter. 

More recently his focus has been on upskilling workplace assessors across all sectors looked after by Primary ITO.  

Al snapped during a workshop with Wellington City Council assessors in 2025

As Quality Development Lead, Al runs online and face-to-face workshops to ensure workplace assessors and verifiers understand good assessment and verification practice and to provide tips and advice. He also works with Training Advisers to answer “gnarly” assessment questions and oversees moderation of assessment completed by staff and workplace assessors at the Department of Corrections and the Primary ITO Trades Academy. 

Al thinks of himself as an educator or facilitator. 

“I enjoy helping people to get things right; whether that’s offering tips and tricks on assessment practice, or problem-solving issues to get the right evidence for assessment.” 

Al has just taken over delivery of Primary ITO’s workplace assessor 4098 training. He recently delivered his first course with positive feedback, and workshops are lined up for the rest of the year. 

“New Zealand is internationally recognised as having good trades training. Good learner assessment practices help to maintain industry credibility and standards. Our focus is on developing and upskilling our assessors, so we have skilled and knowledgeable people undertaking this important task.” 

Outside of work Al enjoys spending time with family, fishing, reading, distance walking, and looking after his vegie garden. 

Visiting Benmore Canal in 2023, Al is pictured with Manpreet Singh, Farm Manager.