The nature of the generic manufacturing competencies developed in Australia required the manufacturing industry in New Zealand to agree to their registration on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and their use in New Zealand. In discussion of how this best be managed, the concept of the CMI Consortium evolved in 2005.


The ITOs agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to emphasise the cooperative effort, highlighting:

• the role of FITEC as Consortium manager and facilitator
• the responsibility of the Consortium in setting, and the maintenance of, unit standards and qualifications
• the joint support of training resources development
• an involvement in the promotion of competitive manufacturing programmes.

The CMI Board, consisting of the participating ITOs and co-opted parties (unions, consultants), guides and agrees to the Consortium activities through an annually agreed plan.

Current board members include:

In March 2007, the Board decided on expanded activities of the Consortium - coinciding with a strong shift by the New Zealand government to improve labour productivity.

• Purpose:
  In recognition of the fact that Competitive Manufacturing qualifications are a by-product of the implementation of productivity initiatives within enterprises, the Consortium is committed to the wider objective of implementation of productivity improvement strategies throughout the public and private sectors in New Zealand to support an innovative and competitive manufacturing sector.
  The Consortium sees this as a key strategy for manufacturing in New Zealand's sustainability and future development.
  
  
• Objectives:
  To promote productivity as part of an integrated approach that raises awareness of both the gains to be made through implementing productivity initiatives, and through recognising the new skills needed in the workforce through national competency standards and qualifications that are portable across all aspects of manufacturing.
  To align industry training in Competitive Manufacturing (CM) techniques as a common set of NQF standards and qualifications that are fit for purpose, and provide the widest possible recognition of skills. This will be achieved through the use of the Australian competency standards where these are available, and reflect best practice.
  To contribute to the development of high quality capability in industry, government and provider organisations for the delivery of the CMI standards and qualifications.
  To maintain the integrity of the Competitive Manufacturing standards and qualifications, and the integrity of the training support in New Zealand through robust quality systems and reference to the Australian Standard setting body and Australian training and assessment support.
  To assist employers and employees in the implementation of NQF based training programmes for productivity improvement using the CM standards and qualifications.
  To work with other productivity improvement initiatives, achieving productivity improvement in New Zealand using the CM standards and qualifications.