ACG Group wins Exporter of the Year Award

ACG (Academic Colleges Group) won the Air NZ Cargo Exporter of the Year Award in the consultants and services category, at the annual ceremony held at the Auckland Langham Hotel.

Founded in 1994, ACG now owns and operates seven schools in NZ, two in Vietnam and one in Indonesia, and has over 5000 students and 500 teaching staff.

From small beginnings with one school in Auckland (ACG Senior College) it has expanded in the country and taken its success overseas.

The judges of the award say a factor in ACG’s success has been the ability to identify and grasp market opportunities. ACG has a strong asset base by owning all buildings it operates from.

It also has established a network of strategic partnerships with tertiary providers and other key agencies.

The judges were impressed with ACG’s approach to quality in both education and service, underpinned by academic and management staff of the highest quality.

They said: “This, together with high level support to students and staff and a comprehensive communication system, contributes directly to ACG’s reputation and academic outcomes.”

Clarence van der Wel, deputy chief executive, says: “The board ... believed  strongly in the opportunities that were available in the export market, so over the past 15 years we have seen our export earnings grow from nothing to $40 million.

“NZ’s annual education export earnings exceed $2 billion, so education is a significant contributor to the economy.”