27 July 2005

Apprenticeship milestone for motor industry

The motor industry has reached an important industry training milestone, with 4,000 industry trainees and Modern Apprentices now participating in structured workplace learning, Education Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.

"This is a great achievement. It sets a solid foundation that will ensure industry training and Modern Apprenticeships continue to meet the needs of the motor industry and workforce, " Trevor Mallard said at the New Zealand Motor Industry Training Organisation apprenticeship celebration at Parliament tonight.

“I applaud what the Motor Industry Training Organisation has done to support and promote the Industry Training Strategy. The industry can be confident that the skilled workforce it needs now and in the future is being developed through programmes like industry training and Modern Apprenticeships."

Trevor Mallard also congratulated the 4000th motor industry apprentice and trainee – Braden Levers, from Matamata in the Waikato.

Braden (20) started his Automotive Electrical Engineering apprenticeship in March this year. He is being supported throughout his apprenticeship by the New Zealand Motor Industry Training Organisation. Braden is currently employed full-time by Matamata Auto Electrical.

"Encouraging even more people to take advantage of the many exciting opportunities in trades training is a priority for the government. It's great to see young people like Braden take up the trades as a rewarding career,” Trevor Mallard said.

"The Labour-led government has worked hard to address skills shortages locally and nationally - unlike the previous National government which turned a blind eye to the looming skills shortage and the need for industry training, scrapping the apprenticeship system.

"Under our government, there has been a massive increase in funding for industry training and Modern Apprenticeships since 1999.

"In 1999 there were no modern apprenticeships compared to 7,760 as at 31 March 2005. For the entire industry training system, comprising modern apprentices and industry trainees, there were 81,000 trainees in 2000, compared to nearly 140,000 in 2004.

"The government's investment in industry training and Modern Apprenticeships is set to more than double by 2009, from $56.1 million in 1999 to $131.3 million in 2009," Trevor Mallard said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media