Trade academies show welcome link to industry

Trade academies show welcome link to industry
15 October 2009

The Industry Training Federation says the Government’s announcement of five new trade academies is a positive step towards recognising the importance of industry links to training and qualifications.
 
“We are pleased that there appears to be a genuine interest in working with industry to ensure the trade academies fulfil their goals,” Executive Director Jeremy Baker said today.
 
“Close links to industry is what drives the success of industry training, and extending this to trade academies can only benefit them.
 
“In particular, we welcome the Catlins academy which involves eight Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) in its ICT-focused pilot.   Of additional interest is the promise of further development for a proposal from the ITOs covering the agriculture and forestry industries.   A skilled workforce is critical to productivity improvements in these important primary industries.”
 
Mr Baker said schools and ITOs were increasingly working together on ways for young people to leave the compulsory education system armed with industry relevant skills.
 
“We’re keen to work towards a more integrated vocational education and training system – one that aligns schools and tertiary education providers more closely with the needs of industry.  Trade academies support that aspiration,” he said.
 
 
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