Page 12 - Hardware July 2019

hard news
Businesses warn of effects of “nuclear” changes to vocational training system
IN JUNE, LED by ITO peak organisation the Industry Training Federation (ITF), almost 150 businesses signed an open letter opposing the Government’s proposal to “dismantle the ITO-led training and apprenticeship system”.
In response to the proposal to transfer responsibility for trainees and apprentices to polytechs and other vocational providers and away from ITOs, ITF Chief Executive, Josh Williams, says: “We don’t believe a compelling case has been made for removing the role for industry-owned bodies to manage and support industry trainees and apprentices.
For over 21 years
VSS have been dedicated to helping grow New Zealand’s leading consumer brands.
We offer a tailored sales and service mix to suit your market and brand.
“We are very concerned that the proposed structure creates the wrong incentives, resulting in a reduction in employer participation.
“Employers will still train their staff, but those workers may not have credits or qualifications to show for it, making them less resilient in the workforce,” he warns.
The ITF states that the New Zealand system works “because businesses lead
a national training system through their ITOs, which develop and maintain skills standards and arrange training on behalf of employers.
“This provides a critical continuous feedback loop that employers value, and ensures that skills development matches industry needs. Industry contributes time and money, and the trainees pay tax rather than get student loans.
“Now is not the time to pull the
pin on our industry-led training and apprenticeship system,” says Josh Williams.
“New Zealand’s strong performance suggests we should be focusing on ways to grow our numbers, and support many more New Zealand employers to train and qualify our workforce.”
www.itf.org.nz
Key services:
· Sales Representatives
· Space management
· Market intelligence
· Vendor refill management
· Merchandising services
· Stock integrity
· Real time reporting
· Product knowledge/Training
Movers & shakers
SCOTT FISHER IS the new Chief Executive of PrefabNZ. Retail NZ’s CEO for the last three years, Scott takes over from PrefabNZ founder and CEO, Pamela Bell. Scott brings “an impressive and proven track record in the not-for-profit space, but he is genuinely passionate about what we are working to achieve – real meaningful change in the building sector,” says Leah Singer, PrefabNZ’s Chair.
As a bookend to Scott Fisher’s departure, Retail NZ has announced that Interim Chief Executive and General Manager of Public Affairs, Greg Harford, has been appointed Chief Executive. “Greg will be known to many in the retail community, having been in the Retail NZ business for nearly five years
as GM Public Affairs,” says Retail NZ President, Des Flynn. “During that time, he’s shown himself to be a passionate and tireless advocate on behalf of the retail sector, and he has a deep knowledge of the Retail NZ business and our strategy moving forward.”
Audrey Galbraith has been appointed Royal Wolf Australasia’s Executive General Manager of Operations. The Sydney-based New Zealander, who has worked at Royal Wolf for 21 years across a range of departments, is now one of four women in the shipping container specialist’s Executive Committee.
We are passionate about growing your brand!
Call us now to find out how we can deliver an efficient and cost effective sales and merchandising solution.
Contact: Phil Cowan Ph: 09 825 0589
Email: philc@vssnz.com www.vssnz.com
10 NZHJ | JULY 2019
MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz
MPM 9067 0219