The industry stakeholders in the construction sector began the process of setting standards for training programs when they developed the HEO occupational standards, printed in the fall of 2004. One of the early goals of this group was to ensure quality training was available for suitable workers in Manitoba.
It is clear that a common standard to guide the purchase of training will benefit all the partners and government has acted as a catalyst for their development. The government’s project officers are the managers of the public funds and will have the critical role of auditor for government funded training programs and will facilitate an industry committee to review proposals using the standards. The employment consultants or project officers from ETS are the intended users of the following suggestions for purchasing HEO training.
Employers will benefit from training that consistently yields workers possessing the basic entrylevel skills needed on the job. Thus, all training must be designed to meet the skill demands of the job as defined by the people that employ the workers.
Labour associations always intend to offer more and better services to their members and to provide quality training is a good service. Labour groups are very closely linked to the supply and demand of workers and often in the business of supplying training too. Following standards for the development and delivery of their training will help them provide credibility to the training they offer. Training that provides recognition of skills will help their current and new members attain success in the job market.
Employer organizations and professional groups involved in the labour market process have similar benefits to the labour groups as they also hope to provide service to members. Employer groups are typically the linking piece between government policies and employers’ issues and opinions, and can help ensure the training outcomes are the best ones for their industry. Some groups like the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association are also training delivery agents and, like their labour partners, will benefit from clear directions and expectations for funded training programs.
Typical post-secondary training is not the norm for industry-based training delivery. Many other organizations have now become involved in the business of delivering HEO and constructionrelated training. By complying with a standard of development and delivery, the training deliverers will be able to assure their students of a program that is linked to a job and designed to provide results. Training deliverers will add value to their training by providing a credential to their learners that signifies a province-wide acceptable standard. The process of meeting the government’s standards for purchasing training will automatically add quality to any program.