DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 371 175 CE C66 645

TITLE Taking the Step to Skill New Zealand. A Guide for

Employers.INSTITUTION New Zealand Education and Training Support Agency,

Wellington.; New Zealand QualificaZions Authority,Wellington.

REPORT NO ISBN-0-478-08702-0; ISBN-0-908927-46-0

PUB DATE Jun 94

NOTE 24p.

PUB TYPE Guides General (050)

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.

DESCRIPTORS *Basic Skills; *Employer Employee Relationship;Employment Potential; Employment Practices;*Employment Qualifications; Foreign Countries;Industrial Training; *Job Skills; *Job Training;Postsecondary Education; Secondary Education; *SkillDevelopment

IDENTIFIERS *New Zealand

ABSTRACTSkill New Zealand is a strategy to raise the skill

levels of all New Zealanders, an indust.j-led approach to skills

development that will increase the quantity, quality, and diversity

of training in that country. The booklet contains four sections. The

first section explains what Skill New Zealand is and why employers

should become involved it. The second section provides guidelines tothe role of industry in Skill New Zealand. Information is included on

what role industry plays, what Industry Training Organizations (IT0s)

do, how ITOs develop training programs and how they are funded, the

role of apprenticeships, and how to find out if a particular industry

is covered by an ITO. In the third section, the NationalQualifications Framework is discussed. Information is provided on how

the framework operates and on Skill Pathways and Skill Start, two

approaches that can be used to phase in skill training. The final

set..,:ion discusses how Skill New Zealand is presently being

implemented. A list of approved ITOs is included. (KC)

***********************************************************************Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made

from the original document.***********************************************************************

1.(

A guide for employers

41.

U.S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONOttic Educational Research and Improvement

ED CATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATIONCENTER (ERIC)

gib This document has boon reproduced ureceived from the person or organizationonginanng it

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"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THISMATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY

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What is Skill New Zealand?

Why we need Skill New Zealand 3

Why employers should become involved 4

Why Skill New Zealand is good for business 5

Why Skill New Zealand is good for industry 6

How Skill New Zealand Works The Hole of Industry 7

What role does industry play? 7

What does an ITO do? 8

How do ITOs develop their training programmes? 9

How are ITOs funded? 10

Where do apprenticeships fit in? 10

How do you find out if your industry is covered by an ITO? 11

The National Qualifications Framework 12

How the Framework operates 13

The Framework provides flexibility 14

Skill Pathways 15

Skill Start 16

Skill New Zealand s Happening Right Now 17

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What

In a nutslwIl, \co' /ealand

is a strategy to raise the skill

levels of all :Very /ealanders.

It's a dynamic, industry-led

approach to skills dcrelopnwnt

which will increase the quantity,

quality and diversity gr training

2i r Vow iepland.

It will create an environment

((Iwo' industries can identifil

and build training to meet their

needs.

Ild it 'S illy /UM'.

Why we need Skill New Zealand

It's a world-wide trend as technologydevelops at a faster and faster rate, thenumber of unskilled jobs is declining. Everyday, businesses are adopting new forms of

technology and new staffingsystems to gain a competitiveadvantage. The day of theunskilled worker has almostpassed.

Today, if businesses want tocompete successfully, they need ahighly skilled, flexible workforce.

In the past, there was nocoordinated approach to skillstraining. In fact, to many people,leaving school usually signalledthe end of learning or training.Others found it difficult to swapcareers or gain new skills.

To compound the problem,in some skill areas there wereno nationally recognised courses

or qualifications at all.

That's why Skill New Zealand is vital to ourfuture. It will build a unified training culturethroughout the country which will, in turn,affect how every one of us learns and trainsthroughout our lives.

II n

Uur clients are wanting

results faster.

Consequently, research

and technology are

developing faster.

We need staff who can

keep pace with it all."

Phillip Mills, ManagingDirector, Les Mills Worldof Fitness.

4

Why employers should becomeinvolved in Skill New Zealand

If you want to be successful in today'sinternational or local market, you need highlyskilled people. That's the bottom line.

Skill New Zealand is designed togive you just that. It will providetraining based on nationalstandards that are tailored to suityour specific needs. It can provideyour staff with the right skills at theright time.

Under Skill New Zealand,industries, enterprises andprofessions will create new trainingor build on existing trainingprogrammes.

.because we have

peolile who are as

capable with a

computer as they are

with a chisel., we're

more efficient and

profitable than

ever.

Bruce Robinson

It will be easier for employers toupskill existing staff and take ontrainees, and train them to nationalstandards. It's a system thatbenefits both you and your people.

" A

11 better quality

employee means a better

quality product. Thaf s

happening for us rightI

noW . . .

Frances Rawlings,Manager of theWaitomo News.

Why Skill New Zealand isgood for your business

Skill New Zealand will provideyour staff with the right skillsat the right time. You canidentify their training needsand arrange for trainingdirectly relevant to the skillsthey require.

It will ensure your people aremore highly skilled.

It will let you know exactlywhat skills and standards youremployees achieve.

It will improve on-the-job training.andassessment.

A higher skilled staff can

give you a competitive edge

raise the quality of your product orservice

increase your productivity

make your business more profitable

enable your workforce to adapt to changemore effectively

allow you to respond quickly to businessopportunities.

5

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4111111.,

6

Why Skill New Zealand isgood for industry

Skill New Zealand sets upsystems that assure a highquality of training to specifiednational standards.

It is designed by industry forindustry.

It keeps pace with the changes going oninside your sector.

It offers greater flexibility in when andhow people train.

And it recognises prior learning andexisting skills.

How. doesSkill New Zealandwork?

Skill New Zealand revolvesaround:

an industry drivenapproach to training

and the NationalQualifications Framework

What role does industry play?

In 1992 the Industry Training Act waspassed. Its goal was to increase the quantity,quality and relevance of industry training in

New Zealand.

It encourages industry to form IndustryTraining Organisations (IT0s). These ITOs

are responsible for training in the industrythey represent, and lie at the very heart of

Skill New Zealand.

What does an ITO do?

ITOs set national standardsand qualifications for theirindustry.

They develop trainingarrangements for employers intheir industry.

They arrange for delivery oftraining on and off the job.

And they decide how tomonitor training standards andthe assessment of trainees.

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How do ITOs develop theirtraining programmes?

The process is as follows:

The first step is for the ITO toundertake a training needsanalysis to map out exactlywhat skills are required fortheir industry - not just fornow, but for the future as well.

The skills identified from theanalysis are broken down intospecific areas of skill andknowledge called skill or unitstandards. Trainees gain credittowards a qualification whenthey achieve the specifiedstandard.

The standards are registered on the National Qualifications

Framework (refer to The National QualificationsFramework section Pg12).

The ITOs set the standards and qualifications for their

industry.

Training based on the standards can be offered in the

workplace or by a range of education and training providers

polytechnics, private training establishments or schools.

These programmes must meet the industry's requirementsin terms of whether training is on or off-job and the

assessment of trainee achievement.

To ensure the training remains relevant, the standards and

qualifications will be regularly.reviewed and updated by the

industry, in consultation with the New Zealand

Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

12

-

10

How are ITOs funded?

Each ITO will be funded mainly by theindustry it represents. Some Gorernmentfunding is available to assist with

training needs analysis

developing and implementingtI aining programmes

purchasing off-the-job training

4 administering new and existingapprenticeship-typearrangements and PrimaryIndustry Cadetships.

Where do apprerticeshipsfit in?

Apprenticeship training will continue largelyas before. ITOs are taking over responsibilityfor their own apprenticeship arrangementsand will update them to ensure they continueto meet the needs of the industry.

Should employers still take onapprentices?

Definitely. If you need any advice on trainingand apprenticeships, contact your ITO.

:$

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How do you find out if your industryis covered by an ITO?

As at June 1994 there are 39 ITOs and afurther 8 have applied for ITO status. To get intouch with your ITO refer to the list enclosedwith this booklet or contact the National Officeof the Education & Training Support Agency.

In addition to the 39 ITOs, there are morethan 100 standards bodies who have beenapproved by NZQA to set national standardsfor their sector. They cover skill areas thatmay not fit the Industry Training Act's

definition of "industry". For example,management and communications skills arecommon to many industries. Unlike ITOs,these bodies do not have the responsibility of

developing or managing training.

A list of these standards bodies isenclosed at the back of the booklet,or please contact the New ZealandQualifications Authority,PO Box 160, Wellington. Telephone(04) 802 3000 or Fax (04) 802 3114

ask for Brent Richardson orKari Miller.

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l'nder the new Qualifications

franwwork, students and

employers hare greater choice and

flexibility in what, wlwre and how

they learn. (dear national

sLandards are being set across all

learning areas and Iwople trill he

table to take an increasing variety

lmthwarls to achieve those

standar(ls.,.

uison( ;melt. Le41.7111w for nationalPhnripul Orcvnliabel reofIcqr wilitilicati(ms can take place in the

Pitlfurr.:rfinellrir4')l1111C/I I ill du.

workblace. polytechnic. prirult.

training establishment or school.

How does the Framework operate?

The Qualifications Framework is built on unitstandards which spell out the criteria whichstudents and employees need to meet in aparticular area of skill and knowledge.

Each nationally recognised unit standardbelongs to one of the QualificationsFramework's eight levels and they buildtowards nationally recognised qualifications.

Levels 1 4 lead to a National Certificate andunit standards at Level 5 and above lead to aNational Diploma or Degree.

Training is designed so that people areassessed against the new unit standards. Oncethe standard is achieved, its credit value isrecorded on an individual's Record of Learningwhich is held on a national database.

It's then a matter of gaining credits until astudent or trainee has gained the requirednumber of credits for the qualification.

LEVEL

National Certificate

5181National Diploma

Other

Degrees:

Higher

Degree Certificates

and

Diplomas

1

13

1

14

The Framework providesflexibility

Under the new Framework, aperson can:

study the area of immediaterelevance to their trainingneeds or achieve all the unitstandards which make up aqualification

achieve unit standards at theirown pace to suit their needs.and re-enter training at anytime in their lives

gain recognition for skills and experiencethey already have.

Other key aspects of the Skill New Zealandstrategy are Skill Pathways and Skill Start.Both programmes are designed to assistyoung people into training.

Skill Pathways

Skill Pathways aims to increase the range ofvocational learning for young people. It canalso assist employers to offer training to youngpeople aged 16 to 21 years old.

Skill Pathways is designed for industrieswhich have not previously had structuredentry-level training (such as apprenticeships).

It gets industry and education providers(secondary schools and training providers like

polytechnics etc) working more closelytogether so they both get what they want.

By combining on and off-job training, youngpeople will develop valuable skills industryneeds, and industry will be getting employeeswith skills that match their requirementsperfectly.

The Education & Training.Support Agency canassist employers interested in developing apathway with a local school or training

provider. Pathways can bedeveloped for employees who gooff-job for part of their training.Or employers can provide part-timetraining on their premises forschool students or trainees.

1815

Skill Start

Creating more training places forour young people is an importantpart of preparing for the future.

Skill Start is designed to encourageemployers to take on more youngpeople and provide them withformal training on the job.

Skill Start recognises the initial cost toemployers of taking on trainees and providesfinancial assistance so that employers canstart training young people now.

As an employer, you can receive Skill Start ifyou take on a young person (with a maximumof three) up to and including 21 years of agethrough one of these training arrangements:

an Apprenticeship Training Agreement

a Primary Industry Cadetship

a training agreement in the nature of anapprenticeship linked to the NationalQualifications Framework

a training agreement in the nature of anapprenticeship formally recognised underthe Industry Training Act.

What assistance is available?

A payment of $1,000 (including GST) foreach trainee.

16 19

night now, nearly 200 imlustry

and prOfessiomal groups are

Set(ing skill stpndards for their

Keel;

Wally groups are already

Hs. some are applying to

become IIQs, others are coming

together for llWfirst time.

Oyer 1,.;00 unit slandaizik

hare been regislered. 11

many more being dereloped

proride comiwchensire

corcrage. These standards are

mainly al 1 crels I 1 of the

It's hardly surprising thatemployers all over the country aretaking advantage of Skill NewZealand. The examples ofbusinesses and education providersin this booklet will give you someidea of how this new approach toindustry training is benefiting

everyone involved.

To build training to meet your needs, allyou have to do is take the step to SkillNew Zealand.

The Skill New Zealand strategy isco-ordinated by ETSA and NZQA

ETSA

The Education & Support Training Agency(ETSA) is responsible for officially recognisingITOs and for providing support to new ITOs. Italso manages the Government funds availableto assist ITOs.

ETSA is developing Skill Pathways inassociation with schools, employers, ITOsand training providers.

21

18

NZQA

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority

(NZQA) is responsible for establishing the

National Qualifications Framework in

partnership with industry and education and

training providers.

Standards-setters for the NationalQualifications Framework

Standards-setters for the Qualifications

Framework fall into two main categories:

Industry Training Organisations (Ins)recognised by the Education 8E Training

Support Agency (ETSA)

National Standards Bodies (NSBs)

approved by the Qualifications Authority.

The major difference between the

two is that in addition to setting

national skill standards and

forming qualifications. ITOs are

empowered by the IndustryTraining Act to develop and manage

their own training.

2219

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23:146X414(

Education & TrainingSupport Agency

Education & TrainingSupport AgencyPO Box 27 048WellingtonTel 104) 801 5588Fax 104) 801 5599

?el

New ZealandQualifications AuthorityMana Thhu Afataurangao AotearoaU-Bix Centre79 Taranaki StreetPO Box 160. WellingtonThl (04) 802 3000Fax (04) 802 3115