Message from the AST Trust

Applying learnings shows value

I write this as we enter week four of lockdown, but hopefully by the time this article goes to print we will be in a much better place in terms of restrictions. While we have all got used to working from home it doesn’t get any easier, and I am impressed at the way in which the tertiary sector has responded.

Last year’s lockdown was all new and teaching and support staff had a short period of time in which to prepare for remote delivery. This time around the sector was more prepared, and anecdotally, at least, it seems students are more engaged in their online learning. With off job training unable to continue it has been a hiatus of sorts for apprentices, but nothing like a bit of down time to get those portfolios up to date! Perhaps surprisingly, the trustees have not seen a large volume of grant applications coming through so let us hope that this is a sign of the Apprentice Support Plan (Apprentice Boost) funding doing its job. The tertiary reforms continue to progress. Two of the 11 transitional Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) are now part of Te Pūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) and the new national body which will eventually contain the delivery functions of what is currently 11 ITOs and 16 polytechnics. It has been pleasing to see the levels of collaboration occurring and a recent example of this was when the heads of the polytechnic trades came together with senior leaders from the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO). It was discussed at this time how apprentices could be better supported with training when their job doesn’t always offer those opportunities. Some pilot programmes have been started, with more to follow. Having the learner at the centre of the conversation helps keep the focus, and it is consistent with the approach that the Apprenticeship Scholarship Trust (AST), now under Industry Training Association Building (ITAB) strives to take. That is, how can we best support apprentices to ensure they not only stay in the system but can excel to become future leaders.

Hopefully, we will see each other again in person soon, as opposed to through Zoom.

Ka kite anō

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