Employers
Would your business benefit from having an apprentice?
You may be thinking of starting an apprentice in your business. Training an apprentice is an investment not only for your business but also the wider glass and glazing industry. You may be able to get Government support for your business while you train.
To become and apprentice the person will need to be employed in your company. This person may be someone who is already in your team and you are ready to sign them up for formal training.
Ready to sign one of your team into an apprenticeship?
If you have not yet found a suitable apprentice, a good place to start is by registering with Te Pukenga (BCITO) here:
What’s involved with having an apprentice
Conscientiously mentoring your apprentice pays dividends and builds success. Your apprentice will be motivated to achieve because they will feel supported and valued. They will be more likely to stick around, which contributes to a great business culture and feeds stability. Take a look at BCITO research Grow Your Profit.
Mentoring
For success, robust mentoring will greatly assist. Mentoring is a two-way relationship. The ultimate goal as an employer is to make maximum gains through bringing the apprentice up to speed as quickly as possible. The secret for this lies in regular mentoring of the apprentice.
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- Follow a programme of training and supervision that steps the apprentice through graduated skills and knowledge with adequate training and supervision. Your BCITO – Te Pukenga Training Advisor (TA) will assist with this. The TA make contact at least four times each year to set goals and to work with you and the apprentice to assess the qualification unit standards.
- Ensure there is the range of work for the apprentice to achieve the necessary qualification strand.
- In between TA visits / contact, make yourself (or an assigned mentor) available for regular scheduled meetings to discuss progress with the apprentice.
- Develop a rapport with the apprentice. Be there to support and listen.
A good mentor:
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- Has a regular schedule for employer / mentor / apprentice meetings – no cancellations without rescheduling.
- Listens well and treats the conversation with the apprentice as confidential.
- Determines what is essential to an apprentice and explores their ambitions and ideas.
- Introduces new opportunities for the apprentice that will especially reinforce new learning. This is particularly important when the apprentice returns to work from off-job training (block course) at the GGINZ.
- Knows the importance of the learning process – the training programme – by creating a genuine and open relationship to promote confidence and trust.
- Accepts the fact that in some cases, an apprentice may need help or assistance from other sources.
- Is appropriately trained and has in-depth knowledge in the subject matter.
- Has a professional approach in the mentor-apprentice relationship.
Ready to sign up a new apprentice?
Contact Te Pukenga – BCITO 0800 4 BCITO or email
Off-Job Training (Block Courses)
Each year apprentices attend off-job training at the Glass and Glazing Institute of New Zealand (GGINZ). These modern, well-equipped premises are located at 3 Cedric Place Plimmerton, Porirua.
What courses at the GGINZ will the apprentice attend?
What is the curriculum for the apprentice at each stage of the apprenticeship?
Mates in construction – Mates helping mates
Suicide is everyone’s business; it does not discriminate. Our construction industry is losing nearly one person every week to suicide and 98% of those that we lose are our men.
At Stage 1 Core courses, all apprentices will have the opportunity to be part of the Mates in Construction Level 1 Training. This hour-long session is conducted on day one as part of the induction – Health and Safety section.
Accommodation
While attending the GGINZ, accommodation can be arranged with a Homestay host. This is found to be successful as apprentices are guaranteed breakfast and a healthy meal in the evening. Each host and the home has been vetted to ensure the accommodation is clean comfortable and warm.
While there are basic courtesy rules, staying with a homestay host enables the time in the evenings for apprentices to complete their homework and complete preparation for the next day’s learning.
Accommodation Rules of Conduct
(as per the accommodation application form)
When staying with a GGINZ-arranged homestay, you must observe the following:
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- Respect the house rules as laid down by the host/hostess. For example: mealtimes, tidiness, and smoking.
- Behave respectfully towards the host and family.
- Give host advance notice of your movements. For example, notify them if you will not be home for the evening meal; or, if you are going out, what time you can be expected back.
- Do not consume alcohol while staying in GGINZ-arranged accommodation.
- Do not bring any illegal substances into the home.
- Pay for any damage caused by negligent or irresponsible behaviour.
- Use your mobile or reimburse the host family for any phone call costs.
Download:
What needs to be done before leaving home
Apprentices will need to prepare for their off-job training course. Te Pukenga BCITO will send out information about the dates of the course and other information such as tool kit list. This is a chance for apprentices to demonstrate they are developing self-management skills.
On the Apprentice tab there is information about:
Letter to employers who are sending an apprentice to off-job training
Please read this letter to the employer (this is also on page one of the Apprentice Self Reflective Journals).
GGINZ drug and alcohol policy
The GGINZ is a drug and alcohol-free environment. Management and tutors take this policy seriously.
Employer survey
We at the GGINZ are continually looking for ways to improve our institution and training for the Glass and Glazing industry. As a valued employer we would really appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete our online survey. Thank you in anticipation.