SPECIAL
FEATURE
Training while working
Workplace training, also known as trade or industry training, involves learning and
earning money while you work. Apprenticeships are one type of workplace training.
You can do workplace training in a range of hands-on industries. Many of the occupation
descriptions elsewhere in this document contain useful links to training/education
providers of one sort or another.
Workplace training usually combines on-the-job and offthe-job training. You’ll have to:
›› attend all courses that are part of the industry training
– these may be block courses, evening courses or day
release classes, and are offered by a polytechnic or other
education provider
›› complete on-the-job assessments to show you are
competent doing practical tasks, and to work towards
your national certificate
›› complete off-the-job assessments to work towards
completing your qualification.
There may also be some formal off the job training at
training organisations like polytechnics and private training
establishments.
Linked to worker, workplace, and industry needs
Workplace training is learning and skill development linked
to the needs of workers, workplaces and industry.
It provides employees with structured training, both on-job
and off-job and is linked to the New Zealand Qualifications
Framework (NZQF). This means employees can earn while
they learn.
Industry training is co-ordinated by the ITOs (Industry
Training Organisations) around New Zealand. These are
set up by industries and are recognised by the government.
ITOs receive funding from both the government and
industry.
The system covers most of New Zealand’s industries from
traditional trades like building and plumbing, the primary
industries, and manufacturing and retail, through to
government and community services.
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On-the-job training
Apprenticeships
On-the-job training is training that takes place while
employees are actually working. It means that skills can
be gained while trainees are carrying out their jobs. This
benefits both employees and the business. Employees
learn in the real work environment and gain experience
dealing with the tasks and challenges that they will meet
during a normal working day, while getting paid. The
business benefits by ensuring that the training is specific to
the job.
New Zealand Apprenticeships provide a premier vocational
pathway and quality support for all apprentices regardless
of age. New Zealand Apprenticeships provide an entry point
into an occupation setting a person up for a career in an
industry and contain a strong theoretical component to
support further learning, as well as a practical element.
Many occupations provide on the job training. These
occupations provide an excellent start for many who are
entering the workforce because of the opportunity to start
earning right away and therefore not having to have a
student loan. Also, the training is specific to the occupation.
Industry training fees do vary and it is best to talk to your
ITO or employer.
Occupations in this report that involve on-the-job training
for the main qualification include:
›› Electricians
An apprentice must be employed in the occupation for
which they are training, and all New Zealand Apprenticeships
will result in (at least) a level 4 New Zealand qualification
comprising a minimum of 120 credits (ensuring a strong
theoretical component).
It is expected that on completing a New Zealand
Apprenticeship, the apprentice will be ‘work competent’ for
the occupation in which they have been training, and that
industry will determine the standard of competency to be
met.
ITOs
Industry Training Organisations (ITOs):
›› help people get NZQA-recognised qualifications on
the job;
›› Plumbers
›› Carpenters and joiners
›› provide information and advice to trainees and
their employers;
›› Hospitality workers
›› Heath care workers
›› develop and arrange education and training for
their industry;
›› Café managers
›› Bus and Coach Drivers
›› arrange your assessments when you are training,
and ensure you are getting high quality training.
›› Farmers
The ITOs currently in New Zealand1 are:
›› Firefighters
Building and Construction ITO (BCITO)
›› Chefs
›› Hairdressers
→→ bcito.org.nz
›› Truck Drivers
›› Welders
Occupations that involve some form of professional practice
as part of gaining a formal qualification include
›› Doctors
building and construction, fibrous plastering, solid
plastering, tiling, cement and concrete, architectural
technology, quantity surveying and construction technology,
blocklaying, bricklaying, masonry, monumental masonry and
stonemasonry industries.
›› Dentists
Careerforce
›› Early Childhood Teachers
→→ careerforce.org.nz
›› School Teachers
health, disability, aged care, mental health, social services,
contract cleaning, caretaking and urban pest management
sectors.
›› Physiotherapists
›› Psychologists
›› Pharmacists
Many occupations, though, set a minimum qualification as
the entry point. That minimum qualification may be NCEA
level 1 – 3 or a Tertiary degree, or post-graduate degree.
Check with Careers New Zealand for more details for the
qualifications required to enter a job.
1 The last few years have seen consolidation amongst ITOs. See www.tec.
govt.nz/Resource-Centre/Directories/Industry-Training-Organisations/ for a
list of historic ITOs and what happened to them.
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Competenz
Primary ITO
→→ competenz.org.nz
→→ primaryito.ac.nz
engineering, manufacturing, food and beverage
manufacturing, forestry, baking, butchery, refrigeration,
heating, ventilating and air-conditioning, rail, maritime,
locksmithing and fire alarms and protection systems
industries.
agriculture, horticulture, equine, water and sports turf, dairy
manufacturing, meat processing (excluding poultry) and
seafood industries.
also the print, packaging, journalism, signmaking, plastics
production, glass container manufacturing, pharmaceutical
manufacturing (excluding medicines), and paint, ink and
resin manufacturing industries.
→→ serviceiq.org.nz
Connexis
→→ connexis.org.nz
electricity supply and infrastructure roles.
electricity supply includes: cable work, electrical,
engineering practice, line mechanic distribution, line
mechanic transmission, network/hydro operation,
and telecommunications.
Infrastructure includes: civil construction, civil engineering,
civil engineering laboratory testing, contract management,
demolition, first-line management, infrastructure
asset management, horizontal directional drilling,
pavement surfacing, procurement, road construction and
maintenance, roadmarking, rural contracting, surveying,
and utilities.
ServiceIQ
aviation, travel, tourism, museums, hospitality, retail and
wholesale sectors of New Zealand’s service industry.
Skills Active Aotearoa
→→ skillsactive.org.nz
community recreation, snow sports, and coaching and
fitness sectors.
The Skills Organisation ITO
→→ skills.org.nz
ambulance, contact centre, financial services, offender
management, health and safety, public sector and local
government, and real estate and security sectors.
also specialist trades including electrical, plumbing, roofing,
drainlaying, gasfitting, telecommunications, cranes,
scaffolding, rigging, elevating platforms, and industrial
rope access.
also contact centre, agrichemical application, health and
safety, and rural contracting roles.
Funeral Services Training Trust (FSTT)
→→ fstt.org.nz
embalming, funeral directing, and services industries.
New Zealand Hair and Beauty ITO (HITO)
→→ hito.org.nz
hairdressing, barbering, beauty services and salon
management sectors.
MITO New Zealand (MITO)
→→ mito.org.nz
motor, transport, logistics and extractives (gas,
petrochemical, drilling) industries.
NZ Marine & Composites ITO
→→ nzmarine.com
boat building and marine sales industries.
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