Registered Master Builders New Zealand and Builders Academy New Zealand (Builders Academy) have announce a newly-formed joint venture aimed at lifting the quality and accessibility of vocational education to support a better built New Zealand.
This significant partnership marks a step towards developing a more robust and skilled workforce, and offering more choice for aspiring carpentry apprentices.
As the sector continues to focus on building a strong, highly skilled future workforce, both organisations recognised that industry involvement is critical to successful vocational training and a thriving construction sector workforce.
Master Builders chief executive David Kelly says during a time when more apprentices are being trained than ever before, the choice of education providers is extremely important.
“Our partnership with Builders Academy reflects our commitment to providing more choice and greater industry involvement when it comes to training and talent development,” Kelly says.
“Working closely with Builders Academy is an opportunity for our members to help shape how we train our apprentices to best suit the needs of our sector.”
Shared vision for inclusive vocational education
The partnership is founded on a shared vision for inclusive vocational education and training. Builders Academy general manager Glenn Duncan explains its industry-led approach and deep understanding of the needs of construction employers.
“We believe industry involvement is pivotal to successful vocational training. This is part of our DNA — Builders Academy is laser focused on lifting the standards of the industry and optimising learning outcomes.
“From our Board down, we are focused on listening to, and serving the construction sector. This comes through in our approach to education that has been developed with builders in mind.
“As we continue to expand across New Zealand, having a partnership with Registered Master Builders is central to our growth. We want to make sure we are delivering in a way that suits and supports Kiwi builders.”
Builders Academy is part of UP Education, the leading independent vocational training provider in New Zealand, with a 30+ year track record across a range of different education sectors, such as tourism, early childhood education, health and hospitality.
Now turning its focus to the construction industry, UP Education aims to drive an industry leading education service for carpentry apprentices.
Builders Academy is built around providing best in class service to apprentices and employers, with a minimum of six site visits per year per apprentice, a favourable apprentice-to-trainer ratio, additional pastoral care, and learner support services to enhance the overall learner experience.
Fee waiver
Builders Academy now operates nationwide, with more than 50 workplace educators, and more than 800 apprentices on its books. It is encouraging more to sign on, with a fee waiver for sign-ups before June 30, 2024.
As Master Builders widens its support across the vocational training network, it will continue work with other workplace learning providers in the vocational training network.
