Maori doing well in industry training programmes

Industry training has been dubbed the "quiet reformation" in Maori education - participation doubled between 2000 and 2003, and will nearly double again by 2007, a new report shows.

The Industry Training Federation (ITF) report on Maori in industry training shows there were over 26,000 Maori involved in industry training in 2003, and estimates there will be over 40,000 in 2007.

ITF executive director Darel Hall said Maori were succeeding through the full range of industries and had the highest participation rate of all ethnicities compared to their employment status.

Mr Hall described Maori industry training success as the "quiet reformation in Maori education".

Maori made up 10 percent of the employed workforce, yet had 17 percent of industry trainees. With the number of Maori in the workforce increasing, it was expected that more Maori would undertake industry training in the next few years.

Maori industry trainees were concentrated in the forestry, social services, seafood, public sector, dairy and infrastructure industries. This was largely reflective of the large numbers of Maori employed in these industries.

The report says that Maori trainees had indicated that success in education was a motivating factor leading to further education.

This was especially true for the high number of Maori that entered the workforce with no previous qualifications and succeeded in industry training at levels one or two. In the next five years it is expected that more Maori will participate at levels five and six of the national qualifications framework as they climb from lower levels.

The report was released to coincide with the Hui Taumata 2005, a programme to plot a path for accelerated economic development for Maori over the next 20 years.

The ITF report follows two other reports released in the past few months also showing greatly improved economic and educational outcomes for Maori.

A copy of the ITF report.

A Subtext story on the Hui Taumata and a Ministry of Education report showing improved educational outcomes for Maori.

A Subtext story about a Labour Department survey that shows Maori are better qualified and have better jobs and lower unemployment.

Bright future for green-fingered apprentice

Khan Maki (pictured) is over halfway through a Modern Apprenticeship in Amenity Horticulture Level 4 with the Porirua City Council. Mr Maki left school after the fifth form and had no idea what he wanted to do. He had done some horticulture subjects at school and was employed with a landscaping company for a few months after leaving school. He then heard about doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Horticulture through the Horticulture Industry Training Organisation (ITO) and hasn't looked back since. Mr Maki received great support from his whanau, friends and work mates who always made sure he understood his work and knew what he is doing and why. He said, "it keeps me motivated".

The Modern Apprenticeship co-ordinator from the Horticultural ITO also visited regularly to ensure he was on track and not having any problems.

At the start of his apprenticeship, Mr Maki found it focussed a lot on book work and theory, but as he had progressed, the unit standards had become more hands-on and practical-based, and directly related to his work.

He said, "After I've learnt about it, it makes the actual work heaps easier".

Once Mr Maki has completed his apprenticeship he may move into contract gardening or arboriculture and hasn't ruled out the possibility of doing more study at a higher level to give him more of a challenge and achieve his career goals.

Khan Maki's profile comes from ITF's Maori in Industry Training Recent Trends survey.