InfraTrain and SCIRT formalise training partnership

InfraTrain and SCIRT formalise training partnership

13 August, 2012

Infrastructure industry training organisation, InfraTrain, and SCIRT (the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the delivery of training services for the increasing number of workers required for Christchurch’s horizontal infrastructure rebuild. The two organisations will be aiming to recruit and train Christchurch locals first, followed by Cantabrians and other New Zealanders.

In July this year, SCIRT delivered repair and recovery work on roads and water systems in Christchurch valued at $18 million. Monthly spend on SCIRT work is forecast to grow to $40 million each month by year end which will place unprecedented demand on industry training and recruitment.

“Our work projections indicate that an additional 1,000 workers will need to be recruited and trained during the next 12 months,” said Duncan Gibb, General Manager of SCIRT.

“That represents a huge demand for new workers so we have partnered with InfraTrain to develop robust and relevant training programmes for new and existing workers,” he said.

InfraTrain CEO Philip Aldridge said that his organisation was delighted to be able to offer training leadership to meet such an important and large-scale market need.

“In partnership with SCIRT and industry, we have identified that the unique challenges provided by the Canterbury earthquakes demand a different approach to training, recruitment and employment within the sector in Christchurch,” he said.

“This is in part driven by the high demand for workers and in part by the need to train people in advance of the labour demand.”

This requires a tiered approach to training to meet a range of needs. Key initiatives include:

• Pre-employment training for new industry entrants ranging from 8 -12 weeks
• On the job retraining for appropriate applicants who are currently employed
• Further higher level technical and supervisory level training as employees progress.

As part of the development of these programmes, InfraTrain has been working closely with a number of pre-employment training providers within the Canterbury region to align their courses to the demands of industry. Additionally, InfraTrain and SCIRT are developing an on-job training model to support learners once in work. This includes innovative assessment resources which focus on practical delivery and observation of skills. This enables a seamless approach to up-skilling learners at all levels and creates a clear pathway for employees, and immediate productivity gains for employers.

SCIRT is rebuilding the city's earthquake damaged roads, fresh water, wastewater and stormwater networks. The head contractual agreement within SCIRT is an alliance between owner participants Christchurch City Council, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and New Zealand Transport Agency, and non-owner participants City Care, Downer, Fletcher Construction, Fulton Hogan and McConnell Dowell.

InfraTrain New Zealand is the industry training organisation for the civil infrastructure industries. Their role is to build a skilled and productive infrastructure workforce and they train over 4,000 people per year across New Zealand.

ENDS

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