The Access Trades Strategic Reference Group (SRG) held its second meeting on Tuesday, 2 March.

The SRG comprises representatives from key industry sectors within the Access Trades – Cranes, Scaffolding, Rigging, Industrial Rope Access, Lifting Equipment, Elevating Work Platforms, Hiring of Equipment, and Exterior Cleaning.

Along with administrative actions of confirming the group’s Terms of Reference and appointing joint chairpersons Tina Wieczorek (CEO SARNZ) and Vadim Spice (Training Manager NZ Scaffolding Group), updates on the latest developments and issues were received from Waihanga Ara Rau and each industry sector.

Members heard about the progress made toward creating the Access Trades Workforce Development Plan and had the opportunity to comment and provide further information for the development team. Good progress has been made with representatives from each industry sector participating in focussed interviews. The data collected is currently being incorporated and developed into the draft Plan.

In line with the agreed purpose of the Access Trades Strategic Reference Group, to provide Waihanga Ara Rau with strategic and directional advice on the long-term needs for the technical training and qualification requirements of the Access Trades Industry, there were a number of significant concerns discussed for further consideration and action. These included:

• the lack of industry data on workforce demographics
• the increasing demand for skilled operators and workers
• the removal of TTAF subsidies and the following drop in learner numbers
• the quality of training and assessing.

Throughout this year, the Group will focus on completing and formalising the Workforce Development Plan, amplifying the sector’s voice in the vocational education space, and improving the quality of training and assessing outputs within the industry.

The SRG will meet again within the next few months to consider and refine the draft Access Trades Workforce Development Plan and work on the other focus areas.