RealSkills

Welcome to the first RealSkills newsletter (well first in a while).  You're receiving this because of your previous interest in industry training and the value it offers to New Zealand's economic sustainability and well-being.  Through this newsletter we'll update you on decisions that have an impact on the industry training sector and highlight some of the initiatives, both here and internationally.  We're aiming for short and sweet and easy to read and hope that you will show your appreciation of this by using the 'forward to a friend' function.

Regards,

Jeremy Baker

Executive Director, Industry Training Federation

We're going to the Jobs Summit

ITOs will be spreading a clear message at the Jobs Summit tomorrow - in times of recession it is critical that businesses maintain training levels so that New Zealand can retain and grow the skills we will need to survive the recession. 

Several ITOs heads, as well as the ITF have been invited to the forum and have put together a package of recommendations which includes immediate actions to maintain training levels and ideas to ensure ongoing skill development.  It includes the development of a $50 million Industry Skills Recovery Fund to support industry-led skills initiatives and plans to simplify the training system to make it easier to take part in, reduce compliance costs, and alleviate duplication.

Meanwhile, internationally ...

The importance of skills and training in economically tough times is not something that is only of interest to us in New Zealand. Internationally, it is an occurring theme as other Governments announce packages to help make rising unemployment less painful.

With grateful acknowledgement to Google news alerts, the ITF has compiled a few responses from around the World.  Read more
 

Vocational Education and Training Research Forum

Our popular Vocational Education and Training Research Forum has been extended to two days and includes four international speakers.

The Wellington forum will be opened by Minister for Tertiary Education Anne Tolley on 22 April and includes an impressive line up of speakers covering a range of issues that have an impact on skills and development.

The international line-up features the United Kingdom's Professor David Ashton who has developed a highly respected expertise in the international comparisons of skills systems, globalisation, skill formation, workplace learning, organisational strategies and high performance workplaces.   Also from the United Kingdom and speaking on the varying nature of industry-led vocational education and training, is Dr Johnny Sung of the University of Leicester.

Registrations for the forum are now open with earlybird registrations closing in 20 March.  Be in quick - this conference sold out last year.

Our people

There's a reason why industry training is a partnership between business and government.  While quality training has clear benefits for workplaces, there's also benefit for the individual and their future as a worker contributing to New Zealand's economy.  Through this newsletter, we hope to introduce you to the people behind the policy - people like Reitu Archibald who has worked with the Tranzqual ITO to gain qualifications in commercial road transport.