The government is to boost the number of people in apprenticeships by combining all apprenticeships into a single nationwide scheme and providing new financial incentives for employers and workers to take on more apprentices.
“There is a big opportunity over the next few years – particularly with the rebuilding of Christchurch – to train more New Zealanders in vocational careers that will set them up well for their working lives,” says Steven Joyce, tertiary education, skills and employment minister.
“To give people the skills and qualifications they need, it is essential New Zealand has a responsive industry training system. The government’s new package of initiatives is about increasing opportunities for in-work training for all Kiwis by expanding and improving our apprenticeship training system.”
The new initiatives include:
– Combining Modern Apprenticeships and other apprenticeship-type training under an expanded and improved scheme called New Zealand Apprenticeships. From January 1 2014, these new apprenticeships will provide the same level of support, and the same level of subsidy, for all apprentices, regardless of their age. Fewer than half of the people currently doing apprenticeship-type training are actually funded as proper apprentices through the Modern Apprenticeship scheme.
– Boosting overall funding for apprenticeships. The current top-up for Modern Apprentices will be redistributed across all apprentices, regardless of age, as an extension to their learning subsidy. In addition, overall subsidy payments will be increased by around $12 million in the first year, rising over time. Increased funding for apprenticeships will allow industry training organisations to invest in quality education for apprentices; lower fees for employers; and encourage growth in the uptake of apprenticeships.
– Boosting the educational content of apprenticeships. At a minimum they will require a programme of at least 120 credits that results in a level four qualification.
– Setting clearer roles and performance expectations for ITOs, and giving employers other options if their ITOs don’t perform
– Lifting the profile of, and participation in, apprenticeships. The first 10,000 new apprentices who enroll after 1 April this year will receive $1000 towards their tools and off-job course costs, or $2000 if they are in priority construction trades. The same amount will also be paid to their employers.
– Increasing competition by allowing employers direct access to industry training funding.
“We expect the changes to the apprenticeship system will drive a higher level of qualification completions in industry training so more workers, especially young people, are equipped with transferable and practical skills they can use throughout their working lives,” says Joyce.
“By rebooting apprenticeships the government estimates there will be an additional 14,000 new apprentices starting training over the next five years – over and above the 7000 who enrol every year.
“These changes are part of our comprehensive suite of vocational training reforms which are creating a simpler, more effective, vocational training system.
“Other initiatives include providing clear vocational pathways for young people interested in a vocational career, trades academies and youth guarantee places to ease transitions from secondary school to vocational training, and a major reduction in the number of qualifications at levels one to six to make the system easier to navigate for students and employers.
“Delivering skilled and safe workplaces is a key plank of the government’s business growth agenda to lift productivity, deliver higher wages and living standards, and build a faster-growing and more competitive economy.”
