ITF honoured by call for Māori leaders' hui

The Industry Training Federation (ITF) is honoured by the Waikato-Tainui College of Research and Development's announcement that it will convene an urgent hui taumata to discuss the proposed Reform of Vocational Education.

The ITF, and all eleven Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) are signatories to a long-term Kawenata with Waikato-Tainui, signed one year ago.

The Kawenata reflects a commitment by ITOs and the ITF to work in partnership with Waikato-Tainui on its 30-year plan for education, employment, and economic development projects.

This first of its kind agreement sees ITOs collectively working with iwi and Māori to co-ordinate job-based training options across a range of industries, underpinned by tikanga, to meet the aspirations of Māori.

“The ITF and its members warmly welcome the opportunity to hear from Māori leaders on these critically important matters." says ITF Chief Executive Josh Williams. "We fully agree that the consultation process and timeframe is wholly inadequate for all our stakeholders, including our Kawenata partners, let alone our Tiriti partners.

"We are also determined that these reforms strengthen, rather than dismantle, ITO-arranged training and apprenticeships, so we can continue to support the skills and employment aspirations of Māori, and all New Zealanders.” concluded Mr Williams.

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