Govt plans for ITO reform a big plus for the building sector

Government proposals to reform the industry training sector will better equip apprentices for a 21st Century career and raise standards in the sector, the Building Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) said today.

The consultation document on improving the ITO sector was announced by Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills & Employment Steven Joyce at the Industry Training Federation Annual Conference in Wellington on 1 August.

“We already turn out high calibre apprentices,” said BCITO Chief Executive Ruma Karaitiana.  “If adopted, these changes will help grow the skill base of our apprentices and the industry.”

“We support the Government’s aim of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of apprenticeship training. The proposed changes highlight the Government’s commitment to training in the building industry and the importance of creating highly skilled apprentices.

“BCITO has a high level of support available to its apprentices and we have a long-held view that this model works best. We welcome the moves by the Government to extend this model of support to other apprentices through amalgamating all apprenticeships into the Modern Apprenticeships scheme.

“We also believe that introducing a new, higher subsidy rate for apprenticeships will help future-proof the sector’s funding regime and make it more sustainable,” Mr Karaitiana said.

BCITO is one of the largest industry training organisations in New Zealand, helping more than 5000 people with training in 2011. It focuses on delivering world-class qualifications for the building and construction sector in areas such as carpentry, concreting, bricklaying and plastering.

“The proposals are occurring at a critical time for the building industry, when the long-expected up-turn in the sector is about to happen. Strengthening the industry’s skill base and ability to cope with the growth is exactly what the industry needs,” Mr Karaitiana said.

“We welcome the opportunity to engage in open conversation with the Government on the future of the industry.  BCITO will be engaging fully with the Government’s consultation process and will encouraging the building sector to do so.”