The BCITO has recently released funding to help construction industry employers develop and expand their businesses.
Fifteen Employer Development Grants are available in 2012 for employers of current BCITO apprentices. Each grant is worth a maximum of $3000 excluding GST.
This comes after the successful uptake of 15 grants from the 2011 calendar year, when this initiative was first offered.
The BCITO believes this support will help employers run successful long-term businesses, better placing them to provide ongoing investment in training and employment within New Zealand’s construction industry.
This is an early response by the BCITO to one of the key concerns identified in the Built Environment Skills Strategy, as launched by Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson earlier this year.
The initiative is therefore seen as a great way to help upskill New Zealand’s construction industry, thereby increasing productivity and gearing up for future demand.
The output of the construction industry will come under increasing pressure as the Christchurch rebuild kicks into gear. In the north, the industry will be driven hard by housing shortages in Auckland and leaky building remediation.
Any employer of a current BCITO apprentice may apply, including supervisors and managers of an employing company. However, employers must have a current apprentice at the time of application and at the time the grant is claimed.
Employers can select any training or development assistance which best suits their personal or business development needs.
Some examples include:
• BCITO courses such as the National Certificate in Construction Trades,
• National Diploma in Construction Management,
• Consultation with a business advisor,
• Short courses or seminars on small business management, estimating or contract management, and
• Higher level business-related qualifications.
To access grants, employers must apply to the BCITO. All applications will be assessed on how well the intended use of funding meets the purpose of this scheme.
Employers interested in applying can access the application pack at www.bcito.org.nz, under the “Employers” page.
Alternatively, call the BCITO on 0800 4 BCITO.
