The Industry Training Act 1992 is the Act by which Industry Training Organisations exist. They are responsible for setting skill standards, administering the training for industry-based training providing a leadership role within the industry and developing arrangements for collective representation for employers. This Act also repealed the Apprenticeship Act of 1983, and provided for the continuing administration of contracts under that Act.
Under the Industry Training Act 1992 an Industry Training Organisation is responsible for all systematic training provided for people employed in an industry, for the benefit of employers and employees in the industry.
This includes everyone involved with training in the hairdressing industry, not just apprentices. The New Zealand Hairdressing Industry Training Organisation Inc. is the body corporate that is recognised under section 5 or section 8 (I) of the Act as the industry training organisation for the hairdressing industry. Its responsibilities under the Act cover the whole industry including hairdressing employers, barbers, employees, training providers, trainees and apprentices.
To assist the HITO with the on-going performance of those responsibilities, Regional Apprenticeship Committees (RAC’s) have been established within the traditional New Zealand Association of Registered Hairdressers boundaries, usually based in a key area. In some instances ‘sub-committees’ of a RAC are set up to assist with training in a more localised area. An example of such a RAC is the West Coast (South Island), where the local Association is based in Christchurch, several hours travel away.
RAC’s typically consist of 3 members, one of whom is appointed to chair the committee. The representatives should include at least one apprentice. In the example above, the Canterbury Committee usually consists of 3 to 4 members and the West Coast sub-committee consists of only 1 member.
Regional Apprenticeship Committees meet regularly, typically at 2-4 times annually. This may vary, depending on the visit cycles of the Sales & Liaison Manager. The RAC Chair may call a meeting at anytime with or without the Sales and Liaison Manager.