Media Statement
Industry Training at Work Day
Embargoed until 6.00am Thursday 1 May
Politicians and other community leaders are discovering one of the country’s hidden gems as part of Industry Training at
Work Day today.
The day has been organised by the Industry Training Federation (ITF) to raise awareness and understanding of industry
training.
“Each year 180,000 New Zealanders from 35,000 businesses and organisations take part in some form of industry training,
yet understanding of the sector is low,” Industry Training Federation executive director Jeremy Baker said today.
“Today is about leaders in our communities taking the chance to put a human face to those statistics and talk with
employers and their staff who take part in training to make their workplaces better and enhance future career options.
“We hope that by taking the chance to meet the people at the grassroots, leaders and decision makers will enhance their
own understanding of workplace learning and also help raise awareness among the wider public.
“Industry training is a way to improve the skill level of the country’s workforce in a relevant and meaningful way. The
qualifications that trainees receive are developed by the Industry Training Organisations working with the industries
they represent. They are also linked to the national qualifications framework to provide formal recognition for skills
provided for particular jobs.
“The release of the New Zealand Skills Strategy discussion document this week identifies the key role of ITOs in
responding to the skill development needs of businesses.
“We’re extremely proud of the sector and what it achieves and we want to spread the good news,” Mr Baker said.
Among the visits happening as part of Industry Training at Work Day are:
· Tertiary Education Minister Pete Hodgson will be visiting Matthew Richards' Dairy Farm, in Edendale with the
Agriculture ITO.
· National’s Deputy Leader Bill English will be finding out how Southern Alpine Recreation Ltd works with the
Sport, Fitness and Recreation ITO to prepare its staff for the ski season at Coronet Peak.
· Otorohanga District Mayor Dale Williams will be down on the farm with the Agriculture ITO in Otorohanga.
· Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O’Reilly will be at Wellington’s GT Motors to look at the training
offered through the Motor ITO in the area of automotive servicing, automotive engineering at automotive
electrical and mechanical.
· Associate Tertiary Education Minister Maryan Street will be in West Auckland at New Zealand Yachting Developments
which works with the Boating ITO to help maintain its status as a world class builder of advanced composite yachts; and
will also visit Crown Flooring in New Lynn.
· Social Development and Employment Minister Ruth Dyson will be meeting apprentices working in canvas fabrication
in Christchurch.
· Nationals’s Education Spokesperson Anne Tolley will be in Gisborne with the InfraTrain ITO at Fulton Hogan
“We’re thrilled that they, and so many others throughout the country are taking the time to find out more about industry
training,” Mr Baker said.
ends