Training Agreement

The Employer and the Apprentice shall enter into a Training Agreement as approved by the Creative Trades ITO. Before entering into this agreement an Employer must be assessed as suitable to train as outlined under Section 3. This agreement provides for the Apprentice to be employed by the Employer for the period of the apprenticeship. A copy of the agreement must be forwarded to the Creative Trades ITO within 14 days of signing.

Outline of the Training Requirements

The Training Requirements provide for the structured training in the practical skills and theory of the relevant industry. The practical skills are largely taught on the job and resource materials have been developed to assist Employers and apprentices with the systematic acquisition of the practical skills. The theory may be largely taught off the job at an accredited training provider. The respective industries are committed to a competency based approach to training and provision has been made in these training requirements for an apprentice’s progress and achievements to be recognised against defined standards of performance.

Suitability to Train 

In order to ensure high standards of apprenticeship training, the Creative Trades ITO shall, from time to time, assess an Employer’s suitability to train and in doing so shall take into account the following:

However, it is recommended that due to the Health and Safety requirements of the sites in which these trade skills are applied, people entering programmes of education and training leading to the award of this qualification must demonstrate the capacity to understand any and all requirements, instructions, and communications (oral, written, and graphic), to the required industry level. This might be evidenced by Sixth Form Certificate English, credits from the Communications Skills sub-field at level 2 or above, or the demonstration of equivalent knowledge and skills.

Education Prerequisite Standards for an Apprenticeship

A prospective Apprentice should have completed at least two years secondary education. Where a prospective Apprentice has not attained the above prerequisite an Employer should seek the advice of the Creative Trades ITO.

Term of Apprenticeship

National Certificates are based on a clearly defined competency based training programme. The duration of a Training Agreement is entirely dependent on the time required for an Apprentice/Trainee to reach the required levels of competence in the unit standards specified in the registered Training Agreement. Additional Training Agreements may be entered into following completion of an Agreement if further training is desired.

Where a prospective Apprentice has served time in a related occupation or previous apprenticeship or has satisfactorily completed an Industry approved pre-trade course, application may be made to the Creative Trades ITO to recommend the term of the apprenticeship.

On Job Training - Practical

The skills to be obtained under a Training Agreement are set down under the Training Agreement, industry specific unit standards, and relevant training material.

“Commercial competence” is a critical factor within the various industries covered by Creative Trades ITO. It is not acceptable to do a task only once, or take so long in producing something that the chance of earning a living doing it is not realistic.
There are six factors to be considered when being assessed as commercially competent. They are:

1. Can the task be carried out in a safe manner?
2. Can the task be completed to meet the required standard?
3. Can the task be completed within a commercially viable timeframe?
4. Can the task be carried out on demand as required?
5. Can the task be carried out without supervision?
6. Can the core competencies be transferred?

When the above factors can be consistently demonstrated, then the Apprentice can be considered commercially competent.

Off Job Training - Theory

During an apprenticeship an Apprentice may be required to attend block courses at an accredited training provider. Please see attached schedule. The accredited training provider will supply course reports to the Creative Trades ITO, the Apprentice and the Employer.

Payment for off job component - block courses.
Training Fees and Wages - The Creative Trades ITO Industry Training Advisory Groups recommends that an apprentice attending any off-job training courses at an accredited provider have any fees incurred including the NZQA Assessment Fees reimbursed by the Employer. This reimbursement could be conditional on the apprentice receiving an average or better report from the course attended. (Such conditions of refund should be included with other negotiations entered into at the time the Employment Agreement is being finalised).

Where a Modern Apprenticeships Coordinator has identified it as necessary for the successful completion of a qualification, the Apprentice may be expected to attend Key Skills or Advanced Skills training as defined by the Modern Apprenticeships Programme.

Note: Where a prospective apprentice has completed a pre-trade course, application may be made to the Creative Trades ITO for partial exemption from the training programme.

Notify the Creative Trades ITO within 28 days of the discontinuance of the Training Agreement.