New Partnership For Workplace Learning

21 May 2002

Business, unions and Government now consider themselves in a partnership to accelerate workplace learning, says Simon Carlaw, Business NZ Chief Executive.

Speaking at the opening of an international conference on education and training* in Wellington today, Mr Carlaw said it was essential to 'grow the skills' to ensure higher economic growth for New Zealand.

"The issue is recognised as crucial by business, unions and the Government. We want to work together under the 'Skill NZ' banner, to advance lifelong and workplace learning."

Mr Carlaw said Business NZ views the Government's work in promoting and supporting workplace learning and skill development as moving in the right direction.

He said the partnership was a way of advancing Business NZ's three education and training priorities:

1. Increasing skill levels in the current workforce (with a 2005 target of increasing the numbers involved in formal industry training from 80.000 to 100,000 a year, and significantly increasing the number of people with industry skill standards).

2. Improving literacy and numeracy statistics (with a 2010 target of 'very poor' literacy and numeracy levels reduced to less than 5%).

3. Getting more rigorous quality assurance, more education-business partnerships, and more learning within industry and on the job by 2005

*Work in progress: New directions in workplace learning, Wellington Town Hall, 21 &22 May

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