A Year of Change Ahead

A Year of Change Ahead

By Brian Dillon

Chairman AST Trust

I trust the new year has started well for you all, and that, despite recent suggestions in the media, 2019 will be another fruitful one for you and your business.

Apprentices across the country continue to benefit from the hardship grants supplied by AST; in 2018 a total of more than $7000 was provided by way of grants to 10 apprentices. Many of these have expressed their gratitude at the support, which is pleasing to see. For a lot of these apprentices, a grant is the difference between being able to attend a block course or not, or being able to eat more than two minute noodles while they are there.

The grants aren’t (and shouldn’t be) the only support mechanism for apprentices, and it’s pleasing to hear of employers who commit to providing support to their apprentices, often in the way of tools, gas money, or time off for study.

By the time this goes to print we may be more informed about the government’s position on the ITP roadmap (review outcomes, plans). They have been very vocal about the need to overhaul the vocational training sector, including polytechnics, to ensure ongoing viability and industry relevance. It’s pleasing to be part of the training sector which continues to receive generally positive feedback from industry about the quality and capability of graduates.

I read with interest the Minister’s admission that Kiwibuild may not meet the June 2019 targets, as it’s clear that regardless of the means by which our buildings are constructed there is, and will continue to be, demand for skilled people to plan, manage and construct them. Support for those trainees in an educational and pastoral sense will also continue to be important, and the ITAB Advisory is intended in part to be a key link between employers, training providers (polytechnics) and trainees to produce a highly capable workforce.