Do you have any apprentices doing the new version of the apprenticeship?  Are you happy with how it is going?  Is the communication from the ITO up to your expectations?  I have a few apprentices - with some in transition, one finishing the old version later this year and one in the new version.  I am disappointed at the communication from the ITO with regards to block courses and content.  I am getting more information from my apprentice than I am from the ITO office.  I think it is time we considered whether the ITO actually add any value to apprenticeships.  Could we contract direct to the polytechnics for apprentice training?  Would this save the apprentice, the employer and the tax payer some money - bloody oath it would.  Many polytechs have the paperwork there (their own on the ITO's stuff) and could probably work out a deal with an employer that would provide a win/win situation.  There would just need to be sufficient numbers to run a course - probably around half a dozen to start with. 

Is everyone out there (whether an employer or apprentice) happy with what they are being told.?  Is it value for money?  Do the ITO assist you or do they frustrate you?  Does the distance learning really deliver - would you prefer night classes? 

To date the PGDB have been the focus of many of our complaints, but to be honest I'm not that thrilled with the service I'm getting from the ITO and if there was an alternative I'd seriously consider it.  Taking on an apprentice is a big committment and we want to do our best by them and for them - but to do that the whole team needs to be on board - not how I see it is at the moment where the ITO are often the stumbling block rather than the step up. 



Linkback: https://www.plumbers.nz/polytechs-and-unitecs/82/the-pgd-ito/648/

Jaxcat... you don't have to go through the PGDR ITO courses, you are allowed to go through ITP (independent training providers),Unitec and MIT are examples. If you have apprentices, you can enrol them wherever you like. Probably get better value for money in the long run as well, if apprentices are trained at an ITP.

Thanks guys - I have always gone through the ITO but I like the idea of ITP's.  Not interested in the Masterlink or ATT version as we already have payroll etc set up and don't want to pay the additional costs when we can manage the HR side in house.  We have trained many apprentices over the years - but the cost of $8800 is prohibitive and if I can save them and myself some money I'm keen on that as long as it doesn't compromise the training quality.

JD - I really do think you need to step back and have a look at NZ practitioners with some fresh eyes.  You constantly belittle the NZ tradesperson.  I have several staff who have been to the UK to work and they are appalled by the quality of work done there.  They are always snapped up by UK companies as soon as they know they have done a four year apprenticeship here.  I believe that NZ tradespeope are some of the best in the world and that our training system, while not perfect, is still very good.  There are cowboys in any profession and ours is no different, however the constant slights about the NZ plumber or gasfitter are not going to win you any support for your cause to have your qualifications recognised in NZ by the PGDB.

JD - I do agree with some of what you say - but an unqualified plumber is not that - he is a member of the public.  We need to stop giving unqualified people the name plumber - they are not.  The news media also call members of the public this - anyone who is unlicensed is working illegally.  I would never and have never sent an unlicensed person out to do any job, and I don't send new apprentices, or exemption holders out in a van to do jobs for this company because I care too much about my customers and the reputation of this industry.  We have a duty of care to inform the PGDB of anyone working illegally - all they do is cheapen our industry.  Everyone who has a ticket has worked hard to earn it, and works even harder at the moment to keep it.  It costs us dearly in terms of licence fees and upskilling and we cannot compete with those individuals and companies who do not have these expenses.  Not informing the authorities of these people just makes it harder for those of us following the rules of supervision and the laws of the land. 

I will not describe people who have not got a ticket with a practitioners description - it is just wrong to do so and promulgates the feeling amongst the public that there are cowboys in the profession, when they are cowboys members of the public, not cowboys plumbers and gasfitters.

Hi jax
When you say unqualified plumber  I trust you don't mean me as this would show a lack of professional respect of another qualified plumber and gas engineer who was intact given residence of this lovely country because I proved my qualifications and experience it is just that shitty board who want to be disrespectfull of a fellow plumber and gas engineer

Hi jax
I'm sorry just read that peice and realised I didn't put in the un part I'm dyslexic so often miss out odd bits should have double checked but writing this late when I should be sleeping cheers jd

Hi jax and peasea
I always have insurance but in 20years I've never had to make a claim as I've never flooded or has any miss haps I have always believed you only do the work you are happy to do or have been trained to do but the training has to be good and should be run by the manufacturer of the item or goods you sell or believe in as they have a vested interest in you doing it right first time and properly also the boilers I install all get an extra 1 year over and  above the normal warranty which means customers want me to do there work rather than a normal plumber who has not done the training
As the federation I feel we need to try and negotaite a really good rate for our members

Jax / jd   I am a member of MPs, was not aware of the insurance requirement but then again my office lady (ie wife ) takes care of the formal stuff with them , of course we do carry insurance and always have , it is requirement for renewal of the IQP backflow as well with the authorities , Jax what do you mean by" valid insurance " do you mean you may be paying for a policy but it may be invalid if the insurance company find you dont have a full qualification , or are unlicensed, or both .The PGDB say they have a duty to protect the public , seems to me valid  insurance would be a good start.

I will add I have enjoyed and learnt a lot from attending MP courses over the years, in the past it was provided free , I feel they are now trying to make money out of it , as an example I have attended some courses at $100 .00 , there can be 30 people attend it takes 2/3 hours ,one tutor ,venue hireage Ill let you do the maths , to my mind it is way too expensive , this is one reason why there is a backlash to this upskilling . cheers