FAQ
- How does industry training work?
- How do I find an apprentice?
- What is a Modern Apprenticeship?
- What should I look for in an apprentice?
- What qualifications do apprentices receive?
- Who provides the training?
- Why should I train an apprentice?
- Can I start an apprentice straight away?
- Do apprentices have to go to a Polytechnic and be released from work?
- How much do I have to pay an apprentice?
- Do I have to pay an apprentice when they are released to off job training?
- Do I have to pay the training costs?
- When do apprentices get a pay rise?
- Can the apprentice do all of their training on-site?
- Do I have to pay any special insurance for having an apprentice?
- What about up-skilling qualified staff?
- How can I make a complaint?
How does industry training work?
A typical apprenticeship takes three to four years to complete depending on the qualification and during that time trainees will complete a variety of practical and theory based assessments. There are several different training options available:
- Self paced learning – all theory and practical training takes place on the job and at a pace that works for the apprentice.
- Off job training – combining on site learning with classroom learning for the theory units. This option offers additional support and is only available for some of the qualifications.
- Pre-trade course – in some cases a trainee may have completed most of the theory units at a pre-trade course (carpentry qualification only) so only practical learning is needed. Pre-trade courses are available for carpentry qualifications and primarily focus on theory.
The training path that you and your apprentice choose depends on individual preferences and the availability of day release and night classes for the qualification.
How do I find an apprentice?
The BCITO has links with schools and training providers and can help you find an apprentice. Getting involved in a work experience arrangement with a school can be a good opportunity to connect with a young person interested in starting a career in the building and construction industry.
Modern Apprenticeship Co-ordinators can also help, as it is part of their role to recruit Modern Apprentices and match them with employers.
(To find out more information on Modern Apprenticeships, you can go directly to the Modern Apprenticeship web site, or look at the Modern Apprenticeship section on this web site.)
What is a Modern Apprenticeship?
The Modern Apprenticeship scheme is for 16 - 21 year olds and provides extra support during training for both the apprentice and employer alike. The Modern Apprenticeship Co-ordinator visits four times a year, sets a training plan in conjunction with the ITO (if the ITO is not the co-ordinator) and can access extra training for skills such as learning literacy or improvement in maths.
What should I look for in an apprentice?
If you are after a young person (perhaps straight from school), you will want to consider signs of aptitude, good work ethic and discipline. They should be keen to learn and usually have at least Level 1 or 2 passes in English and Maths. Some students may also have experience through the Gateway programme and technology classes at school.
If you would prefer someone slightly older with a little more experience (ie. not straight out of school), you might like to consider finding an apprentice who has done a Pre-trade course which will often require some work experience as part of the course.
The other way to pick a good apprentice is to look at the staff who are already working for you:
- Do you have people working for you who would like the opportunity to get a qualification?
- Are they valued workers?
- Do they show signs of promise and have the ‘X’ factor to become a good tradesperson?
Apprentices don't have to be of a certain age and it's never too late to get qualified.
What qualifications do apprentices receive?
The qualifications available in the building and construction industry are National Certificates. They are registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and administered by us - the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO).
The BCITO offers qualifications in carpentry, cement and concrete, floor and wall tiling, frame and truss manufacturing, interior systems, proprietary plaster cladding systems, solid plastering and health, safety and injury prevention.
Who provides the training?
As the employer you are responsible for providing training and supervision to the required standard. The BCITO evaluates all employers for suitability to train before they take on an apprentice. See our “Employers Obligations” fact sheet for more information.
Why should I train an apprentice?
Employing an apprentice takes time and commitment but it can benefit your business in a variety of ways:
- Having the right mix of people on your team from junior to more experienced senior level.
- Training is a great incentive and can improve your staff retention rate.
- Research has indicated that even whilst training is taking place overall productivity is greater.
- Decrease wasted time, materials, workplace accidents, recruitment costs and absenteeism.
Can I start an apprentice straight away?
If you have found a suitable apprentice then you can start right away by signing them into a Training Agreement with the BCITO and signing a written Employment Contract in accordance with the requirements of the Employment Relations Act 2000.
You will have to be registered yourself or have a senior employee who is registered as an assessor by the BCITO.
A BCITO Training Advisor will check your capacity to train and assess, by working through the required criteria with you.
Do apprentices have to go to a Polytechnic and be released from work?
Provider based off job training is only available for some trades and in some areas. It will also depend on whether the apprentice has completed a pre-trade course and whether they would prefer to use the self learning package (Box of Books) to do their theory learning.
The Box of Books option allows an apprentice the flexibility to integrate their theory learning with practical on the job training. An independent assessor arranged through the BCITO can undertake the theory assessments if you do not have the time to do it yourself. If an apprentice chooses the self learning package the only off site training they will need to undertake is the first aid course.
How much do I have to pay an apprentice?
Wages are negotiated between the apprentice and their employer. The BCITO does not set the wages you pay an apprentice or the increases you may give them as they progress through their apprenticeship. There is however a minimum wage that an apprentice must be paid and this information can be found by going to the following website: www.ers.dol.govt.nz/pay.
Do I have to pay an apprentice when they are released to do off job training?
This should be negotiated between the apprentice and the employer before you sign into a Training Agreement and depends on the employment contract you have with the apprentice. Some employers will pay the apprentice for the time they are away or will pay them based on their performance (ie: if they pass their courses).
Do I have to pay the training costs?
Some employers pay the costs of training for their Apprentices, whilst others make Apprentices pay the training costs. Many employers make payments in advance for training fees and then take the money out of the Apprentice's wages each week.
There are no hard and fast rules about who has to pay for what - it's up to the employer and the Apprentice between them to work it out.
The total cost of training varies between qualifications but is usually $2000 - $3000. A BCITO Training Advisor can give you a breakdown of costs.
When do apprentices get a pay rise?
That depends on the contract between the employer and the Apprentice. As Apprentices move further into their Apprenticeship and become more productive, then increases in their hourly rate could be reasonably expected.
Can the apprentice do all of their training on-site?
Yes, this is possible for all training bar their first aid course.
Do I have to pay any special insurance for having an Apprentice?
No. You would be covered for work accidents under the ACC scheme. You may however wish to have health and safety cover for any claims of any of your employees under the Health and Safety in Employment Act.
What about up-skilling qualified staff?
Qualifications are available to up-skill experienced and qualified staff and recognition of current competency may be available to formally recognise the existing skills of experienced staff. Speak to your Training Advisor for more information.
top>>If I am not happy, how do I make a complaint?
The BCITO has a policy which sets standards for the level of service our staff will meet when dealing with BCITO clients. We also have a procedure through which clients are able to lodge a complaint about the service or standards of service that have been provided or not provided as the case may be.
The process is outlined in the Stakeholders Code of Rights, Complaints and Appeal Procedures (69 Kb) document which is in PDF format. If you have any problems downloading the document - please email national.office@bcito.org.nz and we will forward you a hard copy.