Call for action on training

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is campaigning for the government to restore an industry-led approach to automotive training.

It has lodged a proposal with Penny Simmonds, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, outlining the need to decentralise vocational education for the motor-vehicle sector from Te Pukenga, the NZ Institute of Skills and Technology.

The MTA wants to see an “of the industry, for the industry” approach and its approach has been backed by eight industry groups, including the Motor Industry Association (MIA).

Currently, what was formerly MITO is part of Te Pukenga, but in coming months the existing plan is for it to be “dismantled and consumed into the overarching organisation”, says Lee Marshall, the MTA’s chief executive.

He adds the government must halt the upcoming structural changes immediately before further damage is done to what was previously a well-performing vocational training body. “Businesses, more than bureaucrats, understand the needs of their sector and the definitions of success.”

What the issues are

A key point among the MTA’s proposals put to the government is a new independent track for the automotive industry training organisation, which provides training for 89 per cent of the country’s automotive apprentices.

The association is also calling for an immediate pause on structural reform affecting industry training functions within Te Pukenga, particularly those with a track record of producing high-performing graduates, including MITO. Other points in the MTA’s proposal include:

• Restoring an updated industry-led approach with a leadership structure based on industry and or sectors, as opposed to an arbitrary regional segmentation.

• The short-term revitalisation of functionality of the former MITO, including standards creation, would enable it to work directly with the NZQA to have new qualifications listed on New Zealand’s qualifications framework and training programmes approved.

• A revitalisation of the industry-led approach based on the now-repealed Industry Training and Apprenticeship Act 1992 with modifications to address previous issues.

Marshall, pictured, says: “Automotive was one of the best performing ITOs. It was and is financially sustainable. Qualifications in automotive are largely standard already with almost 90 per cent of learners in the country studying through the same pathway, so the overall rationale for Te Pukenga never stacked up with automotive.”

Of the old system, there were fair complaints of a lack of reactiveness, or proactiveness, with standard-setting to keep up with changing technology. Under the current system, workforce development councils were supposed to address that problem. Two years down the track little has been achieved, but they have worked hard to engage industry and we can learn from that, says Marshall.

He adds the MTA’s proposal may at first glance look regressive. However, it is designed to enable simple and immediate action to address industry concerns, and many of the planned changes through Te Pukenga have yet to happen.

“We are saying loud and clear, ‘stop now and reconsider’. Because there’s no way that removing the management structure dedicated to our industry can improve things.

“The businesses we represent are reporting chronic skills shortages. Our industry deserves the right to fight for its future. If this isn’t rectified urgently, the implications will be felt by all New Zealanders.”

The MTA’s proposals have been endorsed in an accompanying letter signed by representatives of the MIA, Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association, Tractor and Machinery Association, Collision Repair Association, NZ Auto Electrical Group, Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting NZ and the Rental Vehicle Association.

The industry groups have requested a meeting with the minister to discuss the proposal and how it could be implemented.

The December 2023 issue of Autofile magazine reports on how the new government’s 100-day plan includes starting work to disestablish Te Pukenga. 

“The MTA has been fairly vocal from the outset that we didn’t believe the Te Pukenga mega-merger was going to deliver great outcomes for our industry and we had concerns about the track it was on,” Marshall told Autofile. Click here to download past issues of the magazine.