Information for secondary students and school leavers
A step-by-step guide to getting into industry training
Follow these steps to get started with industry training:
Step 1: Find your ITO
As a first step, you need to be employed in an industry covered by an ITO. The vast majority of jobs are covered by an ITO. Here are some examples:
- a dairy worker is covered by the Agriculture ITO
- a graphic designer comes under PrintNZ
- an air traffic controller is part of the Aviation Tourism & Travel Training Organisation.
Industry training organisation contact list
Step 2: Figure out what you want to do
Decide on what kind of skills and knowledge you will need to get ahead. Your employer, ITO or friends and family may help you with this.
Step 3: Talk to your employer and ITO
Talk to your employer and ITO about the training that you want to do. Your employer has to be willing to invest in your training. If your employer is reluctant to take you on as an industry trainee, speak to your ITO and ask them for advice on how to approach your employer. Remember that your employer is more likely to invest in your training if they can see a benefit for them.
Step 4: Develop a training plan
Once your employer agrees to take you on as an industry trainee, your ITO will work with you and your employer to develop the best training plan for you. This will outline your on-the-job and off-the-job training, and will help you gain your qualification.
On-the-job training involves learning the practical skills you need to do your job; for example, a hairdresser learning to dye hair. Off-the-job training is likely to be offered by a polytech or other education provider.
You, your employer and the ITO must sign your industry training agreement.
Step 5: Do your industry training
Your training will be assessed by a registered assessor who may be a staff member at your work, an external ITO assessor, or a tertiary education provider staff member. Your ITO will check the quality of the training with you, your employer and your assessors, and discuss any problems. You can contact your ITO at all times with any questions or problems.
