Elevating Work Platform Operator training in NZ

Press Release

for immediate release

23 April 2008

Elevating Work Platform Operator training in New Zealand

A new set of unit standards has been released to train elevating work platform operators in New Zealand. The training groups that developed the standards say already, employers are insisting that operators have been trained and assessed under the new standards.

However, the Elevating Work Platform Association of NZ (EWPANZ), the Hire Industry Association of NZ (HIANZ) and Opportunity – The Training Organisation say that in their rush to adopt the new standards, many employers are overlooking the perfectly adequate training already available.

They say that despite the standards not being widely assessed yet, as many as 5,000 operators have completed existing training programmes through HIANZ, TOSHA and Vertical Horizonz Industry Training Group.

These programmes largely formed the basis of the new unit standards and Opportunity – The Training Organisation’s chief executive, Ian Grooby, says the Department of Labour recognises existing training, pending the development of the unit standards. Proof of such training secures the worker the qualification.

“Operators who already hold proof of training may be recognized as competent to operate the EWP types denoted on their ID cards safely. This training programme will continue until sufficient assessors and trainers are available to deliver training to the new unit standards,” Mr Grooby says. “The programme already working is perfectly fine until mid-year when there’ll be assessors in place for the new one. Employers don’t need to insist that they take effect immediately.”

Mr Grooby says any employer requiring assurances may request training and moderation records from the training organisation concerned.

ENDS

www.opportunitytraining.org.nz

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