BCITO recognises specialist skills with micro-credentials

As forecasts for construction over the next five years stress the increasing need for skilled tradesman, BCITO’s ‘Micro-Credentials’ offer a way of providing specialised training to meet such demands.

BCITO has recently announced – alongside the Government – the recognition of micro-credentials under New Zealand’s education and training system.

Micro-credentials, or ‘Managed Traineeships’ as BCITO calls them, are recognised specialist training qualifications that reflect the segmentation of the construction industry.

BCITO chief executive officer, Warwick Quinn, points to the fact that, if you look at any contemporary new construction environment, a different person is often responsible for each part of the build process.

“What we’ve noticed over the past 25 years is that construction has become more specialised. In new construction especially, the builder plays a significant coordination role whereas, in the old days, the builder did the lot,” said Quinn.

He said that even the traditional role of a carpenter has been influenced by specialisation.

“Now their work is often split into someone specialising in certain aspects. The supply and install model is common, e.g. supplying and installing windows or wall linings. Micro-credentials provide a way of recognising the unique skill sets this segmentation triggers and allows trainees to specialise in their area of practice.”

“If you’re a school kid with few qualifications, the thought of going into a four year programme may be daunting. However, completing a micro-credential may be an alternative option that encourages more into construction than we might otherwise have had.

As well as encouraging people to get their foot in the door, the qualifications also seek to incentivise firms that specialise to train staff. Previously, only firms who were able to offer the full scope of work required of a full apprenticeship could provide training that resulted in a qualification.

“A company can now train towards a recognised qualification actually aligned to what they do, when a full qualification was not relevant to them,’” Quinn said.

“This way, you can recognise specialist skillsets that are valued by the market and valued by the employer.”

Quinn acknowledges that some are concerned that micro-credentials could cannibalise the numbers of traditional apprentices, by people opting for them instead of a full apprenticeship, however he is confident each have their own place in the market.

“The employer will determine what he wants and what is best for his business. The firm that needs the fully rounded apprentice can carry on. However, the firm that has no need for such a qualification, and indeed cannot offer the scope of work anyway, can now have their specialisation recognised. The market self-regulates.”

Quinn believes fully qualified apprentices will continue to be in demand, but that it is an appropriate time to facilitate and appreciate more specialised skillsets.

“Some do the lot, some do bits, but they’re each valuable in their own right. The market has moved on, the world is different now to what it was 25 years ago and we need to recognise that. Micro-credentials were brought in as a way of doing that.”