2. Hon MARIAN HOBBS (Labour—Wellington Central) Link to this
to the Minister for Tertiary Education
What reports, if any, has he received on the Government’s industry training programmes?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister for Tertiary Education) Link to this
I am pleased to say that today I was able to congratulate in person the 2,000th Modern Apprentice to have completed training, Mr Simon Jervis. Also, I have received an independent evaluation of the Modern Apprenticeships scheme. It shows that the scheme has had outstanding success in encouraging employers to hire and train more young people in the trades.
What reports has the Minister received of employer attitudes towards the Modern Apprenticeships scheme?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
The report I released today shows that the Modern Apprenticeships scheme is an outstanding success with employers. Ninety-five percent of employers of Modern Apprentices would recommend the programme to young staff. Ninety-four percent of employees would recommend the programme to other potential employees and employers.
Hon Bill EnglishIs the Minister aware that, as far as anyone can calculate it, the dropout rate for apprentices over the age of 20 in that scheme is about 70 percent; and why does he continue to refuse to release the figures that will show us the dropout rate for apprentices under the age of 20?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I agree with the member that some difficulties exist with some of the data being collected.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
But of course if he jeers at that I will not give him any more of an answer.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Does the Minister believe that lifting the proportion of women in Modern Apprenticeships from 7 percent to 8 percent is consistent with the requirement under section 17 of the Modern Apprenticeship Training Act to have particular regard to the employment needs of women?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I think moving from 7 percent to 8 percent might be regarded as an extreme form of Fabian socialism. We hope to do considerably better over the coming period of time, particularly as we extend the Modern Apprenticeships scheme to areas with a much larger concentration of young women who are available for training.