MEDIA RELEASE – 11 October 2007

Support for increase in industry-relevant learning in schools

The organisations that set skill standards for industry are supportive of the Youth Apprenticeships programme announced by the Minister of Education today.

“Ensuring that high quality, industry-relevant standards are incorporated into school qualifications is a key objective of Industry Training Organisations (ITOs)”, said Jeremy Baker, Executive Director of the Industry Training Federation.  “This programme will provide young people with a further opportunity to begin industry-relevant studies while still at school, so that they can make good choices about their future careers.

“ITOs already work closely with schools to make industry-based standards available to students.  ITOs are keen to build on this and their relationship with schools as part of the Gateway Programme. 

“ITOs are not currently funded by Government to do this work with schools.  We are keen to ensure that this close collaboration between schools and ITOs can continue, and will work with Government to ensure that future roll-out of the programme is sustainable”, said Mr Baker.

ENDS

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