NEXT GENERATION —
Brian Dillon AST Trust Chairman
Seeing the best of the best By the time this article goes to print we will only be a few weeks away from the New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Annual Conference and Expo, which of course includes the 2021 NZCB Apprentice Challenge Sponsored by ITM National Finals. At the regional events held on 10 April it was very pleasing to see such a high number of participants as well as the input from local committees and Industry Training Providers (ITPs). We look forward to seeing the regional winners at the national event, where they will face quite a different set of challenges. It is also pleasing to see two women participating in the finals as we are seeing an increasing number of women in the trade. Lucile Richardson will be representing the Waikato region and Briearnah Cook is representing Central Otago as part of the 19 finalists. In recent articles I have spoken about the development of Te Pūkenga, the new national polytechnic, and how the Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) and ITPs (polytechnics) will all be joined as one system in the future. As a sector, the ITPs are already working more closely with BCITO, including looking at qualification redevelopments, and getting a better understanding of what the new
environment means for us all. Ultimately the changes are intended to benefit both the learners (across a spectrum of learning environments and needs), and crucially, for employers, who are now being considered alongside the learners as primary clients. In time, consideration will also need to be given to what these reforms mean for ITAB and the activities within, including the hardship grants. The key point of difference for ITAB is that all ITAB apprentices train with an ITP (polytechnic), but that differentiation could diminish or disappear when Te Pūkenga is fully operational. A few ideas have been discussed, but certainly no decisions have been made yet as any changes could impact apprentices, employers, and ITPs. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you all at the NZCB Annual Conference and Expo, and all the best to the Apprentice Challenge finalists.
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