Learning doesn’t stop in the construction industry

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The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) has developed two new higher level qualifications — the National Certificate in Construction Leading Hand and the National Certificate in Construction Supervisor.

 

The Leading Hand qualification is suitable for a tradesperson who has shown the ability and willingness to take responsibility that step further.

 

The qualification assesses a range of skills including explaining and implementing site plans, communication and leadership skills, and technical skills and knowledge.

 

It was offered for the first time this year at polytechnics across the country, including Manukau Institute of Technology, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Wellington Institute of Technology, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, Southern Institute of Technology and Otago Polytechnic.

 

Upon completion of the Leading Hand qualification a tradesperson wishing to upskill can progress to the National Certificate in Construction Supervisor.

 

The BCITO, in partnership with 15 polytechnics throughout the country, is currently developing the materials needed to deliver the Construction Supervisor qualification. This will be completed in time for the first batch of students completing the National Certificate in Construction Leading Hand course later this year.

 

This group of polytechnics is known in the sector as “the consortium”, and has grown to its current size from nine members. The other members of the consortium not already mentioned are Northland Polytechnic, Waikato Institute of Technology, Tairawhiti Polytechnic, Eastern Institute of Technology, Universal College of Education, The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Tai Poutini Polytechnic and Aoraki Polytechnic.

 

The BCITO hopes to encourage more polytechnics to join the consortium in the future.

 

A number of the polytechnics in the consortium have indicated that they are going to deliver the Leading Hand qualification in 2008. Polytechnics that delivered the Leading Hand qualification this year will go on to deliver the Construction Supervisor qualification next year as well.

 

If you are interested in either of these programmes you can contact one of the polytechnics listed above for more information.

 

If the polytechnic in your area is not listed you can contact the BCITO on 0800 422 486 with an expression of interest so that we can encourage other providers to get involved.

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