Significant changes for workplace qualifications

The NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Inc) (MITO) is inviting the automotive industry to provide feedback on its new draft Automotive Body and Automotive Mechanical qualifications. 

As part of MITOs ongoing qualifications review, these core qualifications have been fine-tuned to bring them up to speed with the diverse demands of todays workplaces.

The existing Auto Mechanical qualifications have been significantly streamlined into three qualifications:

Automotive Electrical and Mechanical with five strands in: 

Automotive Light Vehicle

Motorcycle

Electrical and Electronics

Outdoor and Power equipment

Trailer Boat Systems

Automotive Heavy Engineering with four strands in:  

Agricultural Equipment

Plant and Equipment

Road Transport

Materials Handling Equipment

Automotive Specialist Engineering with four strands in: 

Air-conditioning

Automotive Machinery

Diesel Fuel Injection

Motor Sport

Key changes include the introduction of two new strands - Motor Sport and Materials Handling Equipment - which reflect increasing specialisation in the industry. 

The existing Automotive Body qualifications have been streamlined into one qualification with strands in:

Coach Building

Collision Repair

Dismantling and Recycling

Refinishing

Vehicle Detailing

In addition to these specialist strands, all of the revised qualifications share compulsory core skills.

Were committed to ensuring MITO training is up-to-date and relevant for all workplaces, from small workshops to large dealerships, says MITO Qualifications manager Alasdair McIntosh. 

Its also important that we offer broader career opportunities so that the industry can attract and keep good people.

Another change is the introduction of Level 3 qualifications for all Auto Body and Auto Mechanical qualifications. 

For the first time, those who dont wish to proceed to Level 4 training can gain a nationally recognised qualification for their skills and achievements.

This will enable them, as an employee, to carry out the servicing tasks of a general service technician within a workplace.

Completion of the Level 4 National Certificate will qualify a technician to carry out a wider range of activities including diagnostic and repair functions.

The development and revision of a MITO qualification is a significant undertaking and has involved a large contribution from industry advisory groups.

This public consultation provides the opportunity for respondents to validate these qualifications as well suggesting improvements which best serve their staff and training needs.

From 10 September you can view the revised Auto Body and Auto Mechanical qualifications, and access surveys for each strand on MITOs website.

Consultation closes on 17 October. Go to www.mito.org.nz and have your say. n

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