The future of education is in the workforce

The future of education is in an educated workforce

This week Steven Joyce, in his first major speech as Tertiary Education Minister, announced a range of policy initiatives aimed at spending more effectively in the tertiary sector.

In preparing for known changes ATTTO, the Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation, is already leading a range of initiatives that support the more effective use of resources.

ATTTO works with industry and develops and registers nationally relevant qualifications in sectors including Tourism where a proliferation of qualifications that do not include the industry agreed national standards has been identified.

One of ATTTO’s latest initiatives, developed in conjunction with project partner HSI, Hospitality Standards Institute, is NZSkillsConnect, a web-portal that helps potential students and employers navigate training and career options.

Job roles are linked to national qualifications and training required to undertake the job, and all qualifications displayed on NZSkillsConnect lead to the completion of at least one of the nationally recognised qualifications registered for the aviation, hospitality or tourism sectors and associated industries. Employers can also register vacancies on the site and those seeking employment opportunities can upload their CV.

Restricting the site to nationally recognised qualifications ensures that all qualifications listed on NZSkillsConnect have received industry and/or regulatory endorsement at a national level and therefore have portability and relevant outcomes for students, trainees and employers.

It also gives the employer confidence when they are recruiting around a consistent level of training if the applicant has a national qualification that is on the NZSkillsConnect website.

“Aviation, Tourism and Hospitality are hugely important parts of our economy. Raising training consistency and standards across these sectors has a direct impact on how we deliver a quality, uniquely New Zealand visitor and customer experience”,” says ATTTO Chief Executive, Elizabeth Valentine.

“With major events such as the Rugby World Cup coming up, helping employers have confidence that the available training will build the skills they need is increasingly important.

“At the same time we can make sure that no trainees are disadvantaged. With a combination of work-based and provider-based training those groups who may need additional assistance can more easily access the type of learning and support that best meets their needs,” adds Valentine.

ENDS