The critical shortage of skilled tradespeople is not unique to New Zealand. It’s a worldwide problem, forcing governments and skills training organisations to try innovative new strategies to get more hands on the tools. BCITO is the largest provider of construction trade apprenticeships in New Zealand, and CEO Warwick Quinn is clear about what needs to change to plug the skilled tradies gap. “We need a more flexible and adapted training regime that is more aligned to employer needs. The current regime is about 30 years old — construction is much more specialised now. “Under the apprenticeship programme, the teacher is the employer and BCITO does the assessment. Every other teacher in New Zealand is paid to teach. As an employer, you’re not. When it’s price sensitive, you need help for that initial 12 to 18 months.”
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APPRENTICES
Should builders be paid to teach apprentices?
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