Metro Group
CPIT, MIT, Otago Polytechnic, Unitec, WelTec, Wintec

15 April 2011

MEDIA RELEASE

Six Metropolitan ITPs Get Behind Christchurch

Six large urban Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics say they are ready and committed to helping Christchurch rebuild. Led by the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, the Metro Group (a consortium of six Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics from around New Zealand) says it wants to work with the government and industry to train the people needed to restore Christchurch.

Chair of the Metro Group, Dr Linda Sissons says, “Across the Metros we currently train a lot of people for the construction and related trades – plumbing, engineering, carpentry, masonry etc. These are the trades that will be in short supply in Christchurch.

“The Metros’ capacity to deliver training is extensive and we have a national network of employers that we work closely with so we are well-placed to open the doors wider and train more people. Our current trades programmes are full of young people training currently, but we want to do more to address the Christchurch situation.

“We can offer short training programmes (e.g. building site safety, use of power tools/hand tools, measuring which includes practical numeracy skills training, machinery operation, construction knowledge, timber structure) to provide workers to industry who, once they have completed the training will have basic construction skills and be ready to work. We call this our Just in Time approach to training and it works well, particularly for the construction industry.

“Preparing people for apprenticeships via our pre-trade programmes is another option that could be favoured by Christchurch-based industries. When the Government and industry have defined their requirements we will be ready to meet their training needs either in Christchurch with CPIT or through our other campuses around New Zealand.

“We have the workshop space to accommodate more training particularly in the evenings and at the weekend. Subject to funding being made available we have a ready pool of trades people to recruit from to help train students keen to rebuild Christchurch.

“Across the Metros planning is well underway on ways we can contribute. The Metro Group has already identified the extra numbers of students we could train and we hope to be able to put this into action soon with government and industry support,” says Dr Sissons.

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