Te Pukenga merger questioned

Master Plumbers CEO and the Roofing Association chief executive are concerned that Te Pukenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) isn’t delivering what it promised

The trade’s spokespeople say that Kiwi apprentices will be left with gaps in their training and are concerned that they have no say over funding.

Vocational training is going through an overhaul as 16 polytechs and institutes of technology, as well as nine industry training organisations, have been merged together under the Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology roof.

Under the new umbrella, Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) have been set up to make sure training matches the needs of industry. WDCs are intended to make sure apprentices qualify with relevant, job-ready skills.

All bark, no bite

But Master Plumbers chief executive Greg Wallace told Interest that without the power to make funding decisions, WDCs are toothless.

“We have little or no influence.”

He added that, prior to the merger, Master Plumbers was told they’d have more input on training.

“The reality is it’s not really the case at all. And that transition has been incredibly painful.”

He also criticised the number of training centres dotted around the country, adding that he’d prefer to see resources concentrated in fewer locations.

“When I go to Australia and tell them we have 16 training facilities across New Zealand, they look at me like I’m crazy.”

Spread too thin

The chief executive of the Roofing Association, Graham Moor, said he’d also like to see fewer training locations in New Zealand, which would enable them to have a higher level of equipment and facilities.

He also accused Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology of failing to deliver.

“We’re not seeing the innovation that I was expecting. What it was promised to do and what it’s delivered seem to be poles apart,” he told Under Construction.

“We were assured that the WDCs were going to be industry-led, but consultations were not thorough enough for our liking,” he said. “Consultation was only carried out with a small number of trades – we weren’t one of them – and while that doesn’t necessarily bend my nose, what one trade wants is different to what another trade wants and we don’t want to get lost as a smaller trade.”

Moor also said he was concerned with the balance of power and resources between “larger” and “smaller” trades.

Too much change for the sake of it

He also questioned whether the change was motivated by the right purpose and expressed concern at the state of flux at the top of the organisation.

“I look at change like this [and think]: Will it make the boat go faster? Change for the sake of it isn’t good. Furthermore, the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and deputy chief Te Pūkenga have all gone and that leaves me concerned.”

Moor said while he wasn’t against reform of the polytech system, he isn’t in favour of the lack of communication and haphazard approach.

“They didn’t ask the trades what they wanted before building the new model and, if they consulted better at the start of the process, they might not be in this position now.”

Te Pūkenga Acting Chief Executive Peter Winder told Under Construction that collaboration with industry is an important part of its strategy.

“The voice of industry and employers is a vital component in the reform of vocational education. Having a joined-up system to ensure industry voice is also critical. Te Pūkenga has recently entered into a joint industry engagement framework with Waihanga Ara Rau (the WDC for Construction and Infrastructure) to ensure that happens.

“While all voices will have a place within that framework, Te Pūkenga has also established a leadership structure that provides a focus for industry, employers and learners. We are looking forward to embedding that industry focus over the next few months as our new structure is rolled out.”