Maori Party Education and Training Policy welcomed

Maori Party Education and Training Policy welcomed

12 September 2005

"The Maori Party has picked up on the importance of Industry Training for Maori, and the importance of Industry Training to address skill shortages", said Darel Hall Executive Director of the Industry Training Federation.

"The proportion of Maori in Industry Training (17%) is almost twice the proportion of Maori in the employed work force (9%). Similarly the proportion of Maori Modern Apprentices (14%) is over 50% more than Maori in the employed work force.

"Maori are the most highly represented ethnicity in Industry Training according to the 2004 statistics collated by the Tertiary Education Commission from Industry Training Organisations.

"The Maori Party has used the Department of Labour reports on skills shortages in trades - information released this year - to underpin the thinking on their policy that skills shortages in trades need to be resolved.

"In addition the Maori Party supports increases in Modern Apprenticeships.

"The Maori Party stance on these issues is welcomed", said Darel Hall.

ENDS

Formed in 1996, the Industry Training Federation (ITF) is a membership-based organisation representing all 41 Industry Training Organisations (ITOs). The ITF advocates on behalf of its member ITOs to government and works with agencies and sector groups to improve the policy for and delivery of Industry Training.

Over 30,000 businesses and other organisations, and nearly 140,000 people were in Industry Training in 2004.

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