Funding extension will assist trainees’ learning

Industry trainees studying under the Competenz umbrella will continue to be funded by government and the industry training organisation for a further 12 weeks in the event of being made redundant.

Competenz Chief Executive John Blakey says his organisation will pay the employer’s contribution which will allow learners, other than those in group employment schemes to attend block courses and night classes they are enrolled in, while they search for work.

Previously if a trainee lost their job, government funding would remain active for only six weeks – and without an employer to pay the employer’s contribution, they would be unlikely to be able to attend block courses or night classes.

The Minister of Education Anne Tolley recently announced that industry training organisations would be given double the previous six-week limit to help trainees find jobs during the recession, if industry trainees were made redundant.

John said Competenz supports this extension to active funding.

”If a learner is booked to attend a block course or night class and is made redundant, our funding will enable them to continue their studies as planned.

“Competenz will pay the employer’s contribution so the learner will not miss out. Ultimately this is a win for the learner who becomes more employable when they go for their next job,” said John.

Competenz is the industry training organization for the Engineering, Food & Beverage and Manufacturing industries.

For more details about Competenz training options phone 0800 526 1800 or visit www.competenz.org.nz