Matching supply and demand

A new report by the Industry Training Federation, "Matching Supply and Demand: Industry Led Vocational Education and Training" presents a compelling argument for industry to have a greater say in tertiary education and training that relates to their industries. It shows that more than half of tertiary education activity and funding is industry-related vocational education and training and can be matched to about 90% of the workforce.

The report identifies three broad categories of tertiary education and training - industry-related vocational, cross-sectoral vocational and general education and training. For each of these categories there are different ways in which qualifications can and should be defined, and which parties, from industry groups to students, should be influential in how resources are allocated.

"For industry-related vocational education and training, it can now be shown that it is not only desirable but practically possible for the relevant industries to have a strong say in what qualifications are delivered and how resources are allocated," Federation Executive Director Jeremy Baker said.

A full copy of the report is available on the ITF website or email Jenny Connor if you want a hard copy posted to you.

Integrated workplace learning project

A Careerforce project deigned to explore the learning challenges workplaces face when training employees on-site is showing significant positive results, including a 75% completion rate to date.

The project, funded through the Tertiary Education Commission, began in January 2007 and has involved Careerforce working with workplaces to help upskill organisations (managers, trainers and staff) in supporting and strengthening employees’ confidence in literacy, language, numeracy and learning strategies, and the relationship between formal qualifications and workplace practice.

Almost 400 trainees from 27 workplaces have been involved in the project. So far, 75% of these trainees have completed the National Certificate in Community Support Services (Foundation Skills) Level 2. Of the 25% of trainees who have not yet completed the qualification, 15% left their place of employment during the project, and 10% require more time and support to complete the qualification. Trainees came from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, including Maori and Pacific, and included ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) and non-ESOL trainees.

More information

InfraTrain leads new Māori initiative

A new Māori in Industry and Trades Training initiative will enable Māori to step up to leadership roles in their industries, as well as supporting new trainees in the workplace.

The initiative has been launched by Te Puni Kokiri with InfraTrain, the infrastructure ITO, which will initially provide support to 250 Māori trainees in Auckland, Northland, Waikato, East Coast and Hawkes Bay over the next year.
InfraTrain Chief Executive John Wills said the arrangement would enable Māori to tap into the opportunities created by the government’s investment in new civil infrastructure.

“A significant proportion of the civil infrastructure workforce is Māori, and they can play a vital role in planning, designing, building and managing these infrastructure projects,” he said.

The agreement with InfraTrain is the start of what Te Puni Kokiri plans to evolve into support to at least 1,800 Māori in industry and trades training – most at level 4 and above on the National Qualifications Framework – and in industries with strong employment prospects.
 

ITF Conference presentations on-line

Presentations from last month's Industry Training Federation conference at Te Papa are now available on-line for those who missed the conference, or those who want to re-live the memories.

Federation executive director Jeremy Baker said that once again, the conference provided delegates with relevant and practical presentations with a focus on sharing best practice.  "Of particular note this year was the large number of quality presentations from ITOs, with industry support, that provided ideas and inspiration for participants.