ITAB update

New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) partnership with Industry Training Providers (ITPs), known as Industry Training Association Building (ITAB), has come to a close. The ITAB Board of Directors, in consultation with NZCB’s Board, passed a resolution to withdraw ITAB and place it into solvent liquidation on 15 March 2023. This process is now complete; ITAB is no longer a legal entity and has been removed from the Incorporated Societies register.

The balance of ITAB net funds, resulting from the solvent liquidation, have been transferred to NZCB and are ring-fenced for the new NZCB Apprentice Network, as this is deemed to be a ‘like for like’ entity and is in accordance with the Incorporated Societies Act and ITAB’s own constitution. Appropriately, all ITAB branding and promotion will now cease, with any support to existing ITAB apprentices being provided under NZCB’s identity. ITAB should be acknowledged and remembered as a highly successful and worthwhile industry partnership, providing the best parts of a traditional time served apprenticeship, with the then newly introduced competency-based model of training. Employers and apprentices whose preference it was to train using the ITP model and ITAB partnership benefited from offsite learning that occurred on campus, delivered by qualified carpentry tutors aligned to NZCB.

All indicators are that this option will continue under the newly introduced nationwide polytechnic, Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology. Meaning all apprentices will benefit from the resources of both models, with multiple pathways to train and qualify. It’s business as usual for now, and apprentices can continue to enrol with either the BCITO or ITP programmes but there is just no ITAB partnership in place with the ITPs. You can expect to see less of both the BCITO and ITAB logos with more emphasis on Te Pūkenga branded training.

NZCB is committed to supporting our members who employ and train apprentices. Extended support can be accessed via the NZCB Apprentice Network, with apprentices and employers receiving tangible benefits including employment contracts, an apprentice insurance package, and tool deals, to name a few. More information is available at www.nzcb.nz/apprenticeships.

Nick Matthews Industry Pathways and Apprenticeship Manager