TRAINING ACADEMY

exciting new initiative will expand on the world-leading training currently provided by the NZ Marine & Composites (NZMAC) Transitional Industry Training Organisation.

Recent reforms of the vocational education sector, which include disestablishing Industry Training Organisations (ITOS), have provided the marine and composites industries an opportunity to create a dedicated training academy.

NZMAC will make an application to NZQA (NZ Qualifications Authority) to register a Private Training Establishment (PTE) called the NZ Marine & Composites Training Academy. This new facility will be able to expand and deliver far more for the marine and composites industries than the old organisation.

For apprentices and trainees entering or transitioning to the academy, it will deliver support on and off the job, education and training to achieve a seamless integration between the old and new settings. The academy will also be well-connected and better able to respond to the needs of industry.

A balanced delivery of work- and practice-based learning, on campus and online, is designed to provide the optimum learning environment for students and apprentices in the marine and composites sectors.

During the 6–12-month transition period from ITO to PTE, employers and apprentices will see no disruption to the service they currently receive from NZMAC, says NZMAC General Manager Chris van der Hor – it will be business as usual. NZMAC is working closely with government officials to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible.

The marine industry in New Zealand is recognised as producing outstanding marine and composite graduates: tradespeople with New Zealand accreditation are much sought after around the world.

“Our graduates are the NZ Marine Industry’s best marketing tools,” says van der Hor. “They expound the virtues of our industry wherever they are, giving our products and services an unrivalled global reputation.”

In time the academy will also be able to offer international students the opportunity to train there and to work with New Zealand’s best employers.

The marine and composites industries are key contributors to New Zealand’s economy with an annual turnover exceeding $2 billion and export earnings approaching $1 billion across both sectors.

Presently, there are 210 employers training 460 trainees/ apprentices. Post COVID-19, with continued growth forecast for both industry sectors, demand for highly-skilled tradespeople will remain strong, as will the requirement for pre-trade graduates ready to move into apprenticeships. www.nzmacito.org.nz