Concerns with changes to ITOs

This Issue This is a part of the Skilling the workforce feature

By - , Build 173

The government plans to shake up vocational education and training. The building industry has voiced some concerns over the proposals, which are now being reviewed, and final changes will be announced soon.

PROPOSED CHANGES to vocational education and training (VET) were announced by Education Minister Chris Hipkins in February. These would affect building apprenticeship training and have not received unqualified support from the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) or Registered Master Builders Association (RMBA).

National system proposed

The proposed Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) is planned ‘to establish a unified, coordinated, national system of vocational education and training’. This includes:

  • redefined roles for education providers and industry training organisations (ITOs) to extend the leadership role of industry and employers
  • a unified vocational education funding system.

BCITO sorry ITOs losing training role

In a submission to government, the BCITO says that, while it sees some positives in the proposed reforms, the loss of the training role of industry training organisations is a deal breaker for employers regardless of potential gains. ‘Therefore, on balance, we cannot support the suite of reform proposals put forward by the government.’

The BCITO submission includes non-negotiables for a VET system that works for the building and construction industry:

  • Workplace-based learning continues to be a major component.
  • Industry has direct ownership and control of training arrangements.
  • Industry has direct ownership and control of qualification development.
  • There is minimal disruption to the business and productivity of employers involved in supporting training.

Workplace learning involves a face-to-face relationship between a training advisor and the business and between a training advisor and the apprentice.

  • Training approaches can be customised to reflect the needs of particular sectors, individual firms and specific apprentices.
  • The industry can promote career opportunities and attract new people into relevant trades.
  • The training needs of smaller and more specialist trades do not fall through the cracks of the system.

Employer’s voice missing in proposals David Kelly, RMBA Chief Executive, says the RoVE runs the risk of affecting the health and wellbeing of the construction industry at a time when certainty is needed.

‘I have concerns about what the reforms mean for our sector, which currently has BCITO giving strong leadership, support and training for apprentices and employers.

‘Our members have told us the voice of the employer is missing from RoVE. This lack of acknowledgement and understanding of the role the employer plays in training apprentices has created uncertainty.

‘Members have shared their uncertainty about the length of courses and who will be administering the training. These members also tell me this uncertainty means they may reconsider continuing to have apprentices or having them in the future.

‘Off-site learning to understand why something is done a certain way is as important to learn as the what to do and how to do it. However, off-site learning needs to be flexible and work for both the employer and apprentice.

‘Any increase in the number of block courses that take apprentices off the job for extended periods, at a time when capacity is an issue, won’t work. Members prefer shorter courses on focused educational outcomes. Short courses can reduce the time and financial costs of apprenticeships for our members, who are largely small-medium business owners.

‘We need to get this right. A decline in employer confidence to take on apprentices will undermine the capability, capacity and effectiveness of the sector.’

Final recommendations being developed

The consultation period for the reforms has now closed, and the Ministry of Education says final recommendations are being developed and will be presented to Cabinet for a decision mid-2019. Exact dates are still to be confirmed.

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