The skills provided by the tradeperson's talented hands are much in demand! UCOL - Universal College of Learning has recognised that the trade career path is one sure to be filled with success, and have catered for specially designed courses to provide the skills for the future employees of this thriving industry.Rapid advances in construction and fabrication techniques and materials, wholesale computerisation, and the adoption of innovative and complex engineering processes, make trades and industrial technology a challenging and exciting arena in which to work.Proven instruction from qualified tradespersons, modern workshops and machinery and a balance of required theory with hands-on application are part of UCOL's long-standing trades training tradition. Employer quality endorsed with the backing of ITO's and industry organisations, UCOL courses cover the spectrum from automotive, motorbody, carpentry, construction, electro-technology, engineering, fabrication and welding to hairdressing, horticulture and forestry. With current skills shortages expected to impact on industry for the next ten years or so, trades and industrial technology graduates will find they are eagerly sought after by local companies and beyond.
Building & Construction ITO (BCITO)
Click Clack
Electrical Training Company (ETCO)
Hairdressing ITO 
The hairdressing ITO was one of the first ITO's to be established. We have approximately 1600 apprentices nationally and approx. 80 in the Manawatu.
Horticulture ITO
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers ITO (PGDITO)
Motor Industry Training Organisation 
Accelerate your career!
So, what is a MITO apprenticeship and what does it involve? MITO is an organisation which works closely with the motor industry to offer up-to-date and relevant qualifications in the motor and industrial textile fabrication industries. The qualifications are mainly undertaken in the workplace - this is the unique aspect of an apprenticeship compared with other training options. Apprentices learn the skills of the trade hands-on in the workplace every day. And they learn from the best experts - people currently doing the job.
To support the practical training, apprentices learn underpinning theory. This is done by distance learning (correspondence) – MITO links them up to a polytechnic. Doing the home study requires motivation; they need to be committed to learning and be able to understand and apply technical knowledge.
Apprentices are also entitled to up to 40 hours off-job training a year, done by block course or evening tutorials. This usually covers practical work not done in their workplace, or extra help with theory work.
All MITO training is competency based. This means that they have to demonstrate that they can achieve certain skills, or ‘unit standards’, consistently within a certain time and to a set level. These unit standards are packaged into National Certificates – qualifications that are recognised nationally and throughout the world.
They are supported throughout their apprenticeship by several people. Their employer has a key role – they teach the practical skills of the job and help them through the training process. MITO’s local Customer Services Manager works with both the apprentice and their employer initially to set up the apprenticeship and explain what is involved. They will also visit them at least four times a year, and more frequently if necessary, to help make sure they're on track.
They will be assessed, both in the workplace (for the practical skills) and by the polytechnic (for the theory side). All achievements are documented in their own customised Record of Achievement book, which becomes a valuable CV as it clearly details the skills they've achieved.
MITO offers apprenticeships in many sectors, and works closely with our industries to ensure qualifications are up-to-date and relevant.To find out more information about MITO and apprenticeships in general call us on 0800 88 21 21 or visit www.mito.org.nz
Print NZ Training
Radioworks
Vision Manawatu
The Manawatu Standard
Recruitment task force for plumbing, Gas fitting, Drainlaying and Roofing.
Higgins Group
New Zealand Flooring ITO
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Hospitality Standards Institute
Forestry ITO
Agriculture ITO
Joinery ITO
