HITO Transition Decision Announced at HITO AGM on June 27

As part of the Government’s Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE), HITO is required by legislation to transition to a provider before the end of 2022.

HITO’s transition to a provider has now been approved by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).

All current HITO staff, industry assessors, systems and processes will move to a separate HITO Division of the Workbased Learning Subsidiary of Te Pūkenga on 19 September 2022.

The ‘lift and shift’ model of the transition will mean that our employers and apprentices should see minimal disruption to their apprenticeships or their ongoing support from HITO.

We will continue to use the HITO name and branding alongside that of the provider. You should expect to see the same people and experience the same service model as you do now.

We are holding transition networking events for the industry at several locations around the country to explain more about the background of the decision. HITO CE, Kay Nelson, will be releasing a video for those who are unable to attend the events.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask by emailing support@hito.org.nz or calling (04) 499 1180.

 

What is the Reform of Vocational Education?

In 2019, the Government announced a Reform of Vocational Education.

The key purpose of the Government’s Reform of Vocational Education is to create a strong, unified, sustainable vocational education system that delivers the skills that learners, employers and communities need to thrive.

 

What will happen to apprenticeships and on-job training?

The Minister has said that apprenticeships and on-job training will continue to be an important part of the new system. The reforms are to be implemented to ensure minimal disruption to apprentices and employers. Employers and apprentices will continue to be supported through apprenticeship programmes in the workplace.

Our understanding is that you should not expect to see any disruption to your current training agreement. Our current Sales and Training Advisors will continue to visit apprentices and employers and our services will continue to be provided.

 

What changes have been made so far?

Since the reform announcement, the following changes have been made:

  • Six new Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) have been set up to take on the previous standard-setting roles of ITOs.
  • All 16 polytechnics have become subsidiaries of Te Pūkenga (originally called New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology).
  • All 11 Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) became Transitional ITOs and have or are in the process of transitioning their responsibilities for standard-setting and supporting work-based qualifications to other organisations by the end of 2022.
  • The setup of 5 Centres of Vocational Excellence and 16 Regional Skills Leadership Groups is underway.
  • A new unified vocational education funding system is being designed for implementation in 2023.

In order to make the changes, the Government has changed the law. The new Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Act came into effect in April 2020.

 

What does this mean for apprenticeship training?

As part of the reform, HITO must transition the role of supporting apprenticeship training to a government-approved vocational education provider by the end of 2022. The three government-approved options that were considered for transition were:

  • Te Pūkenga (the amalgamation of all 16 polytechnics),
  • Te Wānanga O Aotearoa (a large state sector tertiary organisation) and
  • a Private Training Establishment (a smaller privately owned vocational education organisation).

All options for transition of support for apprentice training considered involve a ‘lift and shift’ of existing functions, systems, and staff to minimise disruption to employers and apprentices.

Even after the transition, you should expect to see our current business model continue with Sales and Training Advisors visiting apprentices and employers on a regular basis, and a continuation of the current services offered by HITO.

 

What does this mean for qualification reviews?

Your involvement with qualification reviews and unit standards will now come through the Workforce Development Councils, rather than through HITO.

 

Workforce Development Councils (WDC)

As part of the Reform of Vocational Education, HITO’s previous responsibility for standard setting (qualification reviews and provider moderation) passed to two Workforce Development Councils (WDC) on 4 October 2021.

Please contact your new WDC If you are looking for information on:

  • Qualification and unit standard development and reviews
  • Applications for programme endorsement support letters
  • Consent to assess applications
  • Pre moderation applications
  • Post moderation submissions

The split in WDC coverage for qualifications is as follows:

Toi Mai WDC – https://www.toimai.nz/

  • Hairdressing
  • Barbering
  • Makeup Artistry

Toitū Te Waiora WDC – https://www.toitutewaiora.nz/

  • Nail Technology
  • Beauty Therapy

 

If you would like more information or have questions, please contact us at support@hito.org.nz or call us on (04) 499 1180.

HITO