ITO merger sees increased scale and benefits

MEDIA RELEASE

December 2012

ITO merger sees increased scale and benefits for the food and beverage sector

Competenz, the Industry Training Organisation (ITO) for the food and beverage, engineering and manufacturing sectors, and the Retail Meat Industry Training Organisation are to merge on January 1, 2013.

“Retail Meat is one of the best performing ITOs based on the Tertiary Education Commission’s league tables and its members had a choice of merger partners. We are very pleased Retail Meat ITO and its members recognised the logical fit and mutual benefits of a merger with Competenz,” said John Blakey, CEO of Competenz. “As a multi-sector ITO with scale and expertise in food and manufacturing skill development, Competenz is able to bring to the merger significant benefits for companies and trainees, both of which will benefit from our national network of account managers and strong customer service focus.”

The merger, the first for Competenz since the 1990s, will also result in considerable back office efficiencies, meaning more money can be directed at the front line which in turn helps drive successful completions of qualifications for learners. And in the future, retail meat trainees will be able to benefit from Competenz’ e-learning system which is soon to be released.

“Our priority now is to form close working relationships with employers and apprentices in the retail meat sector and to work with industry associations to identify what industries want and need. This will ensure that, together, we can promote learning in the workplace as a ‘must do’ activity,” said Mr Blakey.

The merger is in line with the Government’s views that a reduced number of ITOs will create a more cohesive vocational education system from school to work, with clear pathways to a career.

“There is strength in numbers when it comes to ensuring industry’s voice is heard in the development of qualifications, the standard of learning and teaching, and the appropriateness of on-the-job or classroom learning. Competenz has been a strong voice for its industries in the past and has used that voice to advocate for the value of skills development in the workplace. We believe the retail meat sector will significantly benefit from our already established voice in these key areas.”

ENDS

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