NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Inc) (MITO)

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Paul Bugler with Sam Marfell, graduated MITO automotive electrical engineering apprentice and current MITO Administration Programme learner, at Auto & Marine Electrics (2001) Ltd in Blenheim.

The old adage, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going' is particularly appropriate for today's automotive industry.

In difficult economic times, it's important that businesses continue to invest in training for their employees. Skilled, motivated people capable of delivering both performance and profitability can give you an edge.

Benefits for business
MITO's training programmes are suitable for people new to the industry as well as those with experience looking to upskill. They offer a significant return on investment for employers, with all training costs likely to be recouped in the second year. From then on, the learner earns money for the business - and with an injection of new skills and confidence, is capable of taking on more work and more responsibilities. Meanwhile, the employer benefits from retaining knowledge and skills in-house.

Trained employees also bring:

• more efficient and effective ways of working
• more positive attitudes in the workplace, based on the confidence that new skills bring and their appreciation of employer support (which also means lower staff turnover)
• a willingness and ability to embrace and adapt to new technology
• improved customer service skills (a key component of all MITO programmes)
• more informed attitudes towards safety at work, which means fewer accidents and OSH-related penalties and the potential for reduced ACC levies 
• an adaptability to change as market and employment requirements change.

Training improves businesses' competitive edge, with staff who actively respond to industry change and stay up to date with trends and developments.

"Experienced and qualified technicians are hard to find, so we need to keep training them," says Paul Bugler owner/director of Auto & Marine Electrics (2001) Ltd in Blenheim. "With good, solid training, apprentices with the right attitude to their work and to customer service bring a lot of value to my business. The MITO programmes really help - they're directly relevant to the way our workshop operates."

Future-focused courses
In the past few years, MITO has refined and redeveloped its training programmes to ensure they stay relevant to the wider industry and the individual businesses responsible for its success.

As well as apprenticeships for a range of national qualifications, it now offers programmes for a number of specific purposes.

StartUp® is MITO's programme for secondary school students. It gives employers the chance to check out new talent, while giving students an opportunity to experience the industry at a crucial stage in their career decision-making process.

The elite programme for qualified technicians, ATech® equips graduates with high level diagnostic and management skills, as well as an excellent knowledge of new and emerging technologies for the motor industry.

MITO also offers Business Skills programmes. The two-year Administration Programme gives employees the chance to develop their computing, communication and team-building skills. MITO's First Line Management Programme takes one year and is aimed at improving management skills for employees either in or intending to move into supervisory roles.

For more information on MITO and the training opportunities it could offer your business, please call 0800 88 21 21 or visit www.mito.org.nz.