Facts Sheet

Modern Apprenticeships, a new work-based education initiative for young people, will be established over the next 18 months by Skill New Zealand.

These new training arrangements will combine the best aspects of traditional apprenticeships with additional features designed to assist more young people to get access to employment-based training towards national qualifications.

Although the number of people in industry training (organised through Industry Training Organisations) is at a high level, only 10% of the 56,000+ industry trainees in December 1999 were aged under 20 years.

The aim of Modern Apprenticeships is to expand the number of young people in systematic industry training leading to national qualifications by establishing a new, supported, career pathway. It will be highly regarded by young people, employers and the community at large. Some Modern Apprenticeships will be available to older people wishing to start a new career.

Some design features of Modern Apprenticeships are:

 Apprentices will be employed and have a registered training agreement with an ITO. Normal ITO subsidy arrangements will apply to the training agreement.

 Apprenticeships will be available across a wide range of industries, expanding over time to include new areas such as business administration.

 Training will be competency-based and lead to a nationally recognised industry qualification at Levels 3 or 4 on the National Qualifications Framework.

 Modern Apprenticeships will primarily target young people aged 16-21 years on entry. Others wishing to start a new career may also be eligible.

 Apprenticeships will include on and off-job learning.

 Apprentices will each have an individual training plan, including generic skills where necessary.

 Mentoring support will be available to the apprentice through the services of a ‘broker’ or Apprenticeship Co-ordinator outside the firm. The Apprenticeship Co-ordinator’s goal is to ensure that the apprentice is able to successfully complete their qualification.

 Apprenticeship Co-ordinators will also provide an apprentice recruitment service for employers and provide training administration support to make it easy for employers to participate in Modern Apprenticeships.

[ENDS]

© Scoop Media