500th Successful Modern Apprenticeship Celebrated

23 November 2004

500th Successful Modern Apprenticeship Celebrated

“The 500th completed Modern Apprenticeship is good news for reducing skill shortages”, said Darel Hall Executive Director of the Industry Training Federation.

“With widespread skill shortages throughout New Zealand it is pleasing to see that young people are getting into workplace learning. Between 2000 and 2003 the number of young people aged 15 - 21 in Industry Training has nearly doubled from an estimated 12,500 in 2000 to 22,000 in 2004. The Modern Apprentices programme has been an important catalyst for that change.

“Increasing the numbers involved in Modern Apprentices and Industry Training is a key to reducing skill shortages and increasing New Zealand’s growth rate. Research commissioned by the ITF and carried out by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research shows that on average, a trainee after industry training is likely to be 5% -20% more productive than they would otherwise have been.

“Industry Training is a great example of industry and Government working together to tackle skill shortages and provide opportunities for New Zealanders to reach their potential. Industry contributes at least $2 for every $1 invested by the Government, and our research shows that industry is ready to pay its share to achieve the goal of 250,000 learners in industry training during 2007”, says Darel Hall.

ENDS

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