The Communications and Media ITO is set to merge its operations with Competenz to combine expertise and secure the future of formal workplace training in the print, packaging, journalism and signmaking industries.

The Minister of Tertiary Education formally approved the merger on 3 December 2013 and it will take place on 1 January 2014.

The merger follows the Ministry of Education’s Industry Training Review, and aligns with the Government’s view that fewer, larger ITOs will create a more cohesive vocational education system.

CMITO is contacting all stakeholders, including training companies and learners, to inform them of the merger and to confirm that all existing services offered by CMITO will continue. Learners and training companies will continue to be visited by their current Training Advisors. There will be benefits from back-of-house efficiencies and the ability to access Competenz’s growing e-learning platform.

In line with nationwide changes in industry training, CMITO Chairman Dan Blackbourn (pictured) led a robust process to find the best merger partner to secure the future of formal workplace training for the print, packaging, journalism and signmaking industries.

Competenz was the Board’s clear choice for reasons including manufacturing leadership and success in delivering benefits to employers and learners through previous merger activity.

Dan says: “By combining the strength of both organisations we are able to develop further opportunities that will benefit trainees and businesses.”

Competenz Chairman Mike Simm says the merger makes strategic sense for both organisations and will mean more resources dedicated to employers and learners.

“As a large, multi-sector ITO with scale and expertise in manufacturing, engineering, food & beverage and forestry skills development, Competenz brings the strength of our nationwide network of account managers and customer service focus to the merger. By combining this with the great reputation and close relationships CMITO has with the print, packaging, journalism and signmaking industries, the service and performance for workplace training is greatly strengthened.”

The merger will be the fourth for Competenz since December 2012, after successfully integrating the Retail Meat ITO, forestry training organisation (FITEC) and plastics and materials manufacturing ITO (PaMPITO) into its operation.

Mike Simm says: “Like CMITO, Competenz is committed to making New Zealand businesses more competitive, with skilled and productive staff, and this merger forms an important part of that goal. We are looking forward to working alongside and continuing the close relationships with those organisations and learners who have been well represented by CMITO in the past.”

For more information please contact:

• Dan Blackbourn, CMITO Board Chair – 021 770 804
• John Cudby, CMITO General Manager – 0274 454 115

About CMITO

CMITO is closely linked to our industry sectors – print, packaging, signmaking and journalism - to ensure we have up-to-date, relevant qualifications that meet workforce needs. We engage directly with employers and staff to get feedback on current training and to identify areas where there is training potential. We also work closely with the Industry Associations, PrintNZ and the New Zealand Sign & Display Association.

CMITO staff will join Competenz as a separate business unit during a four month transition phase.

About Competenz

Competenz is a large, multi-sector Industry Training Organisation (ITO) focused on Manufacturing, Engineering, Forestry and Food and Beverage Manufacturing. Our goal is to make New Zealand businesses more competitive, with skilled and productive staff. We set qualification standards for our industries and make it easy to train employees on-the-job. In 2014, we will work with over 3,500 businesses and 20,000 learners across our national network of 12 offices.

In the last 12 months Competenz has merged with:

• Retail Meat ITO, taking on responsibility for Butchery Apprenticeships in New Zealand, growing apprentice numbers by 14% in the first 6 months;
• Forestry Industry Training Organisation, taking on responsibility for the Forestry, Wood Manufacturing and Furniture Manufacturing Industries, substantially increasing the number of assessors available in region to ensure timely service; and
• Plastics and Materials Processing ITO on 1 October 2013.