ITOs Review Of Labour's Traning Policy Positive

The Federation of Industry Training Organisations (the Federation) today (Thursday, 30th September) released a comprehensive review of Labour’s training policy, 21ST Century Skills, at the Hospitality Standards Institute in Wellington by handing over the report to Labour MP, Marian Hobbs.

“Most Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) are pretty comfortable with what Labour is suggesting – there are one or two areas where we have different views and we’re happy to talk them through,” said Paul Williams, Executive Director of the ITO Federation.

“Over three-quarters of the respondents to the survey said that they were ‘positive’ about Labour’s overall policy,” Mr Williams said.

“There are some issues. Labour’s policy to reduce the number of ITOs caused some concern – 52 percent of ITOs thought that this would have a ‘negative’ or ‘very negative’ impact on training as did the policy to require ITOs to negotiate the wage rates of apprentices,” he said.

Members of the ITO Federation represent three-quarters of all ITOs although the survey was sent to all ITOs and almost 50% responded. The ITO Federation exists to improve information about the challenges and opportunities for industry-based training.

“ITOs supported the development of a comprehensive strategy for training and employment, and endorsed the continuation of NZQA as the agency responsible for the National Qualifications Framework,” Mr Williams said.
“As at the end of 1998, there were approximately 50,000 trainees engaged in industry-based training – a threefold increase since 1993. This is a major achievement and shows the potential for industry-based training generally,” said Mr Williams.

“The ITO Federation wants to work with any organisation that is committed to improving the policy for, or delivery of, industry-based training,” he said.

The ITO Federation has recently set up a national office and employed and Executive Director. The Federation is an advocate for ITOs and for industry-based training and promotes best practice for ITOs and for training providers.

ENDS

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