Māori Learners in Workplace Settings – Pathways to Success Jenny Connor, ITF NZ AVETRA Conference 12 April 2012

Industry training in NZ Industry training is formal, qualification orientated training designed to meet the skill needs of NZ industry Trainees and apprentices are all employed and do on average 80-90% of their training in the workplace Each year 180,000 workers (10% of all workers) and 35,000 businesses are involved in industry training Training is arranged by ITOs on behalf of industry

Maori in Industry training Maori are over-represented in industry training, particularly in some industries Training is concentrated in levels 1-3 Completion rates are lower than for European trainees The Tertiary Education Strategy (TES) directs tertiary institutions to increase completions for Maori, especially at level 4 and above

Project Objectives and Methodology Project aimed to: –Identify how Maori workers learn in the workplace and barriers to success –Strengthen training models and career pathways –Improve sector knowledge for traditional trades This was done by talking ‘with’ not ‘about’ Maori learners using a mixed method approach

Feedback – Māori Learners Māori learners come from multiple backgrounds “Whānau support Relationship with employer Apprenticeship model works well Barriers to accessing off the job training and additional support Learning approaches for Māori

Key Findings Many similarities but some key differences between Māori and non- Māori Peer support / collective learning approaches Setting high expectations Culture Counts Opening the door to whānau Importance of relationships to Māori and ‘getting it right’ at the beginning Celebrating success

Critical Success Factors

Moving forward Analysis of collected data Draft Report/Peer Review Final report –ITF Research Forum 19 April, Wellington Dissemination Next stage - opportunity for further research

Our people, he tangata For more information contact Jenny Connor, Industry Training Federation NZ