 What
is the New Zealand Craftsman Training Foundation?
HISTORY
The New Zealand Craftsman Training Foundation was
established in 1964 by the New Lynn Rotary Club in Auckland
at the initiative of the then Principal of the Auckland
Technical Institute of Technology, Mr R A Keir.
Mr Keir had the vision and foresight to recognise that
if New Zealand’s Industry was to move forward and
incorporate the latest technology, the industry had
to upskill the workforce and produce Industry leaders
who would take their industry through this change.
In 1965 a Governing Board and Trustees were appointed
by the sponsors and contributors on a voluntary basis,
to run the functions of the Craftsman Training Foundation,
thus relieving the Rotary clubs of any continuing responsibility.
The Award winners had employment arranged in conjunction
with Craftsman Training Foundation and the respective
industry leaders, which would benefit both the industry
and the Awardee.
The Award winners were usually away for a period of
one to two years and either went to Australia or the
Northern Hemisphere. The award winners had to undertake
to return to New Zealand and preferable their industry,
so that their knowledge would benefit the New Zealand
industry.
Visas and work permits were easily obtained for Commonwealth
countries in late 1900’s.
The Award winner had to file a report every three months
on their work experiences and also on social aspects.
These reports were circulated to all the sponsors, Board
members and past award winners so all could see the
development of the Award winners.
Many of the industries that the awardees were placed
in overseas were very impressed the calibre of the Award
winners and the pressure was always on by overseas employers
to retain the young New Zealand recipient. Many had
excellent job offers and letters ‘highly recommending’
followed their return to New Zealand.
Many award winners developed managerial and supervisory
skills from their experiences overseas and went on to
be leaders in their industries back in New Zealand.
This was a small nucleus of young tradespeople bringing
a wealth of new technology and experience back to New
Zealand.
By 1998, 196 young awardees from 32 very different
industries had benefited from the opportunities offered
by the New Zealand Craftsman Training Foundation.
RECENT CHANGES
In keeping with the times, the Foundation has recently
shortened the timeframe that Awardees are overseas,
in response to industry and employment changes. At present,
Awardees are overseas for between 4 to 8 weeks, and
their employer keeps their job open in New Zealand for
their return.
FUNDING
The New Zealand Craftsman Training Foundation is a registered
Charity under the New Zealand Charities Act. The Foundation
is funded solely by donations and is modelled on the
Victorian Overseas Foundation which operates in Australia.
Awardees can be placed in Australia, or the Northern
Hemisphere depending on the industry. Placement is dependant
on funding, visas and available opportunities.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Awardees who travel under the auspices of the Foundation
are highly skilled and experienced tradesmen and women,
who have been selected for their achievements and leadership
qualities.
Click here to download an Application Form.
Awardees are placed for 4 to 8 weeks, and then return
to their job in New Zealand. The accelerated personal
development and acquiring of skills whilst overseas
is a feature of the Foundation's scheme.
One of the reasons for this is the psychological advantage
for Awardees in finding that in most cases they can
match and even better their counterparts in other parts
of the world.
Unless they have this exposure to bigger and more challenging
situations, or are in contact with craftsmen who have
had the experience, many will fail to realise their
full potential or receive the necessary inspiration.
Also visit World Skills: www.worldskills.org.nz
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