New Zealand Apprenticeship System Introduction
Modern New Zealand's Apprenticeship are a new workbased education initiative for young people that combine the best of the apprenticeship tradition with a modern twist.
They are designed to give young people not just a job, but access to quality workplace learning that offers them the start of a new career
The Modern Apprentice gains a nationally recognised qualification while their employer gains crucial training and mentoring support to make managing the Modern Apprenticeship a breeze.
Modern New Zealand Apprenticeship system are administered by the Tertiary Education Commission (the TEC) which contracts the services of Modern New Zealand Apprenticeship system Co-ordinators. A Modern New Zealand Apprenticeship system Co-ordinator acts as a mentor to each Modern Apprentice and his or her employer.
Modern New Zealand Apprenticeship system are now available in 31 industries.
Modern New Zealand Apprenticeship system have been designed to complement and build on existing workbased industry training and other pathways into tertiary education. The Modern New Zealand Apprenticeship system Training Act came into effect on 1 January 2001.
Modern New Zealand Apprenticeship system are the wave of the future. There is strong Government commitment to the concept, with plans to increase the number of Modern Apprentices to 8,500 by June 2005.
What is an apprentice?
An apprentice is someone who studies for a national qualification on the National Qualifications Framework while they are working and earning in the industry in which they are studying.
Apprenticeship training takes place both on the job where it is assessed by a registered workplace assessor (who may be a supervisor or another employee or may be brought in to the workplace from outside to undertake the assessment) and off the job at a polytechnic or another training provider. The on the job training generally covers the practical component of the qualification and off the job training the more theoretical aspects.
How is Modern Apprenticeships different from a “traditional” apprenticeship? Like a traditional apprenticeship, a Modern Apprenticeships is part of the industry training system. Modern Apprentices continue to be managed by an ITO but receive the additional services of a Modern Apprenticeship coordinator. These services are provided free of charge to the apprentice and employer.
What is an Industry Training Organisation and what is their role in apprenticeships? Apprenticeships in New Zealand are managed by industry training organisations (ITOs). There are ITOs for each industry (eg engineering, motor, electrical etc), and each ITO manages and funds apprenticeships for their industry. ITOs are Government funded organisations, which are responsible for:
Setting national skill standards for their industry. Providing information and advice to trainees and their employers. Arranging for the delivery of on and off-job training (including developing training packages for employers). Arranging for the assessment of trainees. Monitoring of quality training. All industry-based apprenticeship training leads to credit and qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework.
What is a National Certificate, the role of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and the National Qualifications Framework (NZQF)? New Zealand Apprenticeship system training leads to National Certificates, which are nationally recognised qualifications that are designed in consultation with industry representatives to meet industry needs. These qualifications are made up of unit standards. A unit standard describes what an apprentice has to know or be able to do to be competent in a particular set of skills. Each unit standard has a level, which indicates the degree of difficulty. All national qualifications such as National Certificates are registered on the National Qualifications Framework, which is simply a way of structuring national qualifications.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) administers the National Qualifications Framework (NZQF). Every learner gaining credits on the framework receives a record of learning. The record of learning shows which unit standards the learner has completed and which qualifications they have achieved.
How do I become a Modern Apprentice? Get in touch with our Modern New Zealand Apprenticeship system contact staff at Manukau Institute of Technology or the Industry Training Organisation for the industry you wish to become a Modern Apprentice in to discuss this. It will vary from industry to industry.
Does it cost to receive the services of a Modern Apprenticeship Coordinator? Provided you meet the eligibility criteria to become a Modern Apprentice, Modern New Zealand Apprenticeship system co-ordination services are made available to you and your employer free of charge. The Government will cover the cost. There will however be some costs associated with the training you receive as an apprentice.
What are the costs involved with learning as a Modern Apprentice? The cost of your New Zealand Apprenticeship system training will depend on the industry you are training in, and for more detailed information about this you will need to talk to the relevant Industry Training Organisation for your industry. Your ITO will fund part of your off the job learning and training costs. This will generally amount to about 60 to 80 percent of the total cost of your training. The remaining portion of the cost will need to be met by you or your employer, and it is up to you and your employer to negotiate this as part of your employment contract. The annual training cost for apprentices is generally less than $1000 per year. Student loans may be available to assist you to meet this cost,
Once an employer employs a Modern Apprentice, are they bound to employ them for the duration of the apprenticeship? An New Zealand Apprenticeship system is a normal employment relationship, which can be terminated by either the employer or apprentice provided they comply with the requirements of relevant employment legislation. More information about this is available from the Employment Relations Service at the Department of Labour who may be contacted
Is there any financial incentive for an employer to take on a Modern Apprentice? There is no direct financial incentive paid to employers to encourage them to take on apprentices. Modern Apprenticeships is designed to remove much of the administrative burden associated with taking on an apprentice, and make it easier to do so.
What qualifications do I need to become a Modern Apprentice? No qualifications are necessary for most Modern New Zealand Apprenticeship system industries at Manukau. It is more important for an employer to employ the right person for their business. However, some pre-trade learning may prove advantageous in securing an apprenticeship. Apprentices must be ready to study at level 4 of the National Qualifications framework.
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