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More carrots for employers is the key to the Government's new trade training push.
Tariana Turia, the Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, says the government wants 14,000 places per year to be available for New Zealand Apprenticeships, of which 3000 will be for Māori and Pasifika.
She says the initiative is an opportunity for Māori and Pasifika to play a larger role in training and is aimed at ensuring more Māori and Pasifika learners become qualified in trades including electronics technicians, fabrication engineers, glaziers, telecommunications technicians, plumbers, avionics technicians and lamination specialists.
There are now about 600 places dedicated to Māori and Pasifika trades training.
That will be expanded with $43 million over four years to increase access for Māori and Pasifika learners to vocational training, improve pre-trades training, and align vocational training more closely to the needs of employers.
She says it's an opportunity for Māori to develop partnerships with the employer who will pre-screen applicants.
The scheme will offer fees-free places at tertiary providers to enable learners to obtain qualifications that meet the pre-apprenticeship requirements of industries.
Mrs Turia says in some areas, iwi alone will be employers, training providers and supply the bulk of trainees.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd
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