Glass & Glazing National Advisory Group (NAG) meeting highlights

The Glass & Glazing NAG comprises employers with a strong background in industry training and supply chain representatives. The purpose of NAGs is to create a two-way information sharing pathway enabling BCITO to respond to educational needs of industry and allowing NAG members to inform their industry networks of the work and initiatives BCITO covers. These valuable members provide BCITO with advice on strategic issues around sector requirements and keeping training requirements up-to-date and relevant among other responsibilities.

The NAG meeting covered a range of topics relating to the current state of industry training and the future of BCITO within Te Pūkenga. Other discussion points included:

• The NAG welcomed their Apprentice Leader to the group, Cameron Wright from Metro Performance Glass in Christchurch. BCITO selected Cameron as the Apprentice Leader for the Glass & Glazing sector. The NAG looks forward to having the voice of the apprentice in the group to better understand their needs.
• There is a labour shortage across the sector, not just apprentices but staff in general. The NAG discussed the need to promote and advertise to not only high schools but also intermediate, so kids know more about trades at an earlier age.
• The NAG would like to see more women in the sector. Currently, the percentage of female apprentices in the Glass & Glazing sector is sitting at just over 3%. Smith & Smith have 13% female which is largely due to using women in their advertising.
• The NAGs are concerned that transitioning into Te Pūkenga and the Workforce Development Council (WDC) will dilute industry voices. They would like to be involved in WDC working groups.
• Withdrawal reasons continue to be a hot topic for the NAG. They want to better understand why people are withdrawing from their apprenticeship.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all NAG members for giving up their time to contribute to such a productive meeting.