PROFILE OF SUCCESS
Training the next generation of engineers ATNZ
Engineering companies across New
Zealand could benefit from new apprenticeship
programmes designed to upskill
workers and ensure the industry remains
sustainable, productive and competitive.
Industry training organisation Competenz has
launched three new apprenticeship programmes
in mechanical engineering, fabrication and
mechanical building services.
These apprenticeship programmes come at a time
the engineering industry faces the challenge of
finding more than 12,000 people to fill vacancies in
the next four years.
Competenz chief executive Fiona Kingsford says
industrial changes, innovations and automation are
changing the number and types of jobs in New
Zealand and, more critically, the sort of knowledge
and skills people in the industry need to develop.
“At Competenz we’re acutely aware of the skills
shortages and the need to ensure there are
enough people for newly created roles as well
as the vacancies created when workers retire or
leave,” Ms Kingsford says.
“Our estimates, prepared by independent
economic agency Infometrics, indicate that we
need to find at least 3,000 people per year across
the mechanical engineering, fabrication and refrigeration,
heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
sectors.
Ms Kingsford says the new apprenticeship
programmes are the result of one of the most
complex pieces of work ever undertaken by
Competenz, and the previous qualifications were
reviewed in consultation with industry experts
across New Zealand.
“We work with thousands of engineering and
manufacturing businesses across the country and
it’s their knowledge and expertise that has helped
us develop apprenticeship programmes that meet
their needs, now and in the future.”
Apprentices don’t grow on trees
Barry Robinson, chairperson of the Maintenance
Engineering Society of New Zealand (MESNZ) and
general manager of SAFE Engineering, has trained
dozens of apprentices throughout his career and
says it’s vital for the future of the engineering
industry.
“One of the biggest challenges facing engineering
firms is making sure there are enough good
people coming through the pipeline. And my
question to businesses facing that challenge is,
are you training people?
“If you’re not training people do you expect other
people to train your staff? You’ve got to grow
them, they’re not going to grow on trees.”
Barry helped Competenz review the previous
engineering qualifications and create the New
Zealand Certificates to ensure they are fit for
purpose, now and in the future.
“It’s such an exciting time for young people now.
Because we’re so short of engineers and will be
for some time, the opportunities for apprentices
are boundless.”
Supporting apprentices to succeed
Apprentices do most of their learning on-the-job
and are also required to complete online eLearning
and attend block courses for two to three weeks
each year.
Ms Kingsford says: “We’re really excited to offer
a new support model with these programmes to
ensure apprentices are set up for success. As
well as regular visits from their Competenz training
advisor, they can use a dedicated phone support
service after hours when they’re doing their
eLearning at home.
“Our study group option will also allow apprentices
to network and tackle some of their eLearning
together.”
Recruiting the next generation
As part of the nationwide 2018 ‘Got a Trade?
Got it Made!’ campaign to attract young people
into trades careers, Competenz launched an
online job board to match school leavers with
employers ready to hire new staff.
Ms Kingsford says: “Since August the job board
has attracted 305 applications for more than
50 jobs. Some have already started apprenticeships
and we continue to make successful
matches.”
Two years fees-free industry training
The government has made it more affordable for
employers to take on apprentices with two years
fees-free industry training through Competenz.
This means the fees usually paid by employers
and apprentices in the first two years are free for
some people.
The policy came into effect on 1 January 2018
and has recently been confirmed for 2019.
Competenz has this year signed up more
than 450 apprentices who qualify for fees-free
training.
“There’s no better time to take on an
apprentice,” Ms Kingsford says. “For people
already working in the industry who haven't
completed tertiary training before, it's an
opportunity to start getting qualified at no cost.
“And for school leavers it’s a pretty attractive
alternative to university – two years fees-free
instead of one, and you get to earn money while
you learn, avoiding a huge student loan.”
Apprentices can check their eligibility at www.
feesfree.govt.nz before signing a training
agreement.
Contact Competenz at www.competenz.
org.nz or phone 0800 526 1800.
mechanical engineering
apprentice Josh Udy at
UniPlas in Wellington.
40 December 2018
/feesfree.gov
/www.competenz