Skill New Zealand - business, unions & Government

Skill New Zealand - business, unions & Government agree

Business NZ welcomes today's announcement of initiatives to support workplace learning.

The Government has pledged $800,000 to underpin a new strategy to lift the number of people involved in quality workplace learning and an additional $84.3 million to fund workplace learning over the next four years.

"Skill development is critical to New Zealand's ability to grow and prosper," said Simon Carlaw, Business NZ Chief Executive.

"I am delighted that with our partners the CTU and the Government, and by working closely with industry training organisations, we will be breathing new life into the Skill New Zealand brand by focusing on the development of workplace learning.

"60% of the workforce of 2020 are already in work, but only a third of all working age New Zealanders have a post-school qualification. If we are to lift productivity, and promote innovation and growth, we have to improve everyone's skill levels.

"A key aspect of the campaign will be to explain the benefits of ongoing learning to small and medium sized businesses, and find ways for industry training to be more accessible for employers and employees in these firms.

"Business NZ is committed to working with the CTU, government agencies, industry training organisations and other tertiary education providers, to achieve the target of 250,000 New Zealanders learning on the job by 2007."

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