Two of New Zealand’s industry training organisations (ITOs) will merge on December 31, 2012, creating a larger transport, logistics and infrastructure organisation.
The Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) will expand its training coverage to include that held by EXITO – a move endorsed by Steven Joyce, minister for tertiary education, skills and employment.
MITO’s current portfolio of industries includes motor, industrial textile fabrication, road transport, warehousing and logistics, passenger services, stevedoring and ports. This portfolio will be expanded to include drilling, petrochemicals, gas, quarrying and mining, protective coatings, resource recovery and energy and chemical plant.
Cost savings through rationalising the organisation’s structure will also result.
EXITO was originally responsible for the extractive sector, covering quarrying and mining, but now works with seven different industries:
– Drilling
– Energy and chemical plant
– Extractive
– Gas
– Petrochemical
– Protective coatings
– Resource recovery
The merger reflects a government-mandated drive to reduce the number of ITOs, and builds on the successful merger of MITO and the Tranzqual ITO in October 2011.
“This merger is an exciting development for both organisations,” says MITO chairman David O’Kane. “It will enable us to work even more effectively across a broader spectrum of industries, while maintaining our reputation as a high performing ITO.
“It reflects our mutual commitment to providing relevant, up-to-date training and support. We enable employees to gain the skills and knowledge they need for today’s world, and provide employers with well trained staff who are supported by national qualifications.”
EXITO chairman Brian Bouzaid and Bruce Taylor will be the two EXITO representatives joining the MITO Board.
Bouzaid says he’s looking forward to giving effect to the strategic alignment across the transport, logistics and 
infrastructure sectors.
“MITO has an excellent reputation for its service delivery model, which includes working closely with learners to ensure a quality learning experience and timely course completion rates,” he says.
“Given that we operate in high-risk industries, the merger also provides us with important reassurance that our workers will have the skills they need to do their jobs safely.”
Bouzaid says that the industries currently served by EXITO are enthusiastic about the merger. “It gives us a lot of confidence and optimism about the future of our workforce.”
