BCITO acknowledges radical changes to Vocational Education

Media Release: 13 February 2019

BCITO acknowledges radical changes to Vocational Education Training system

Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) Chief Executive Warwick Quinn acknowledges the significance of the changes to the vocational education training system proposed by the Minister of Education, Hon Chris Hipkins.

“Vocational training is vitally important to New Zealand’s continued growth. There is no doubt that the Vocational Education Training system (VET) has experienced issues for a long time which need addressing. We also believe there are some parts which are working very well. The key is to protect what works while updating the areas which are failing to deliver for New Zealand,” says Quinn.

“At a time when New Zealand needs more skilled employees in the trades, our priority is ensuring the system we develop is fit-for-purpose and will help us deliver the growth New Zealand needs across the next 20 years.

“Much of the current ITO system is working very well and the focus must be on retaining these aspects. However, we understand there are greater issues within the ITP sector and acknowledge the need for greater change there.

“We must be careful to not throw the baby out with the bathwater, and ensure we protect what is working well, particularly for high need sectors such as building and construction.

“As these changes are radical, we will now spend some time working through what they mean for vocational training, employers and apprentices, and the wider industry.”

Quinn says it is important to ensure we continue to meet the immediate needs of our employers and apprentices during this consultation period.

“We believe there is an opportunity to reposition vocational-based qualifications as high-quality career pathways,” he says.

“We look forward to working with the Government and industry to carefully work through the proposal.”

ENDS

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