Road transport representatives are among a taskforce of organisations calling on the Government to restore automotive training back to an industry-led model.
The coalition, led by the Motor Trade Association (MTA), consists of 20 groups, including trucking bodies Transporting NZ, the National Road Carriers Association, and the NZ Trucking Association.
It comes as Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds consults with industry on a replacement to the previous government’s Te Pūkenga mega-merger which she labelled a “failed experiment”.
In August 2019, the previous government announced it would be merging 16 polytechnics around the country into one national entity which was one of the biggest training shakeups in decades.
Automotive and transport training provider MITO was among training organisation to transition to Te Pūkenga Work Based Learning.
This meant MITO was among polytechnics that merged into a national entity which administered all students, apprentices and industry trainees.
Simmonds says the scheme “has been nothing but an abject disaster”.
“Not only is it a financial mess, drowning in debt of over $250 million while carrying a bloated, centralised bureaucracy, but it has failed spectacularly in its aim to provide quality, relevant learning to the regions.”
MTA head of advocacy, James McDowall, says a submission from the group, in response to the proposed changes to the Vocational Education and Training System, is “clear and unequivocal”.
“The current Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) must be transitioned into an industry-led, industry-owned entity,” McDowall says.
“Only then can learners get the right training and career pathways, businesses get skilled and trained new staff, and all New Zealanders get a robust, efficient and future-facing automotive sector.
“At the end of the day if we don’t have enough Kiwis joining the industry it affects everyone – longer waits for repairs, maintenance and service, or businesses forced into closure because of the staff shortage.”
The automotive industry is undergoing a significant lack of workers, and skilled migrants have been brought in many cases to plug the gaps, he says.
“Our members tell us regularly they would prefer to hire local, and give young Kiwis a chance.
“The current system is convoluted and difficult to navigate, doesn’t always provide enough practical experience for new technology, and puts a financial burden on employers hiring apprentices.
“We appreciate that the minister has faced a massive undertaking in unwinding Te Pῡkenga. But in the case of the automotive sector the way forward is clear.
“MITO made a substantial financial return to Government, which can be restored at the same time as building a better model,” McDowall says.
Road freight body Transporting New Zealand agrees and says an industry-owned and led training organisation for the automotive and motoring sector will better prepare graduates for rapid technological change.
“Having MITO owned and run by industry will provide training that is fit for purpose and delivers for learners and employers.” Transporting New Zealand interim chief executive Dom Kalasih says.
“Training needs to be of a high-quality, consistent and future-orientated. That hasn’t always been the case under the centralised Te Pūkenga model.”
Following MITO’s transition into a Te Pūkenga subsidiary in January 2022, Kalasih says the industry received complaints it was failing to provide enough practical experience around new vehicle technologies.
“As representatives of the freight industry, we know the vital role trained mechanics and technicians play in our sector in keeping things moving,” Kalasih says.
“We strongly support the MTA’s view that the current system is convoluted and unnecessarily complex. We support real-world, work-based training over classroom-only training which can lead to inconsistent delivery.”
New Zealand has more than 5000 road freight transport firms employing around 34,000 truck drivers, according to latest available Stats NZ data.
The road freight transport industry does not have a mandatory qualification or apprenticeship and relies on NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s heavy vehicle licensing and transport service licensing frameworks to qualify truck drivers.
NZTA licenses are supplemented by MITO’s commercial road transport on-the-job training programmes, which help truck drivers gain extra knowledge and skills to help them operate safely and efficiently.
There have been over 1400 enrolments in MITO commercial road transport qualifications since their introduction in 2014, with Transporting NZ supporting enrolments through the ‘Te ara ki tua Road to success‘ programme.
“Every one of these enrolments is a meaningful win for the participant, road freight industry, and all road users.” Kalasih says.
“We think everyone benefits from having safer, more efficient and commercially able participants operating on and around New Zealand’s roads and an industry-focussed training entity will help that happen.
“We look forward to working closely with NZTA to improve the resilience, efficiency and safety of our transport network, as they have committed to in the NLTP.”
The group’s calls include:
- Industry-owned MITO: Transition the current MITO into an industry-owned and led entity, ensuring training programmes are more responsive to industry needs
- Work-based learning focus: Advocate for work-based learning as the preferred training method for the automotive industry
- Industry-led standards: Empower the industry to set its own training standards, ensuring they remain relevant and up to date
- Increased funding for employers: Request increased financial support for employers who train apprentices
- Centres of excellence: Establish a network of well-equipped Centres of Excellence to deliver off-job training
- Streamlined programme development: Advocate for a more efficient process for developing and updating training programmes
