LGOIMA Request Details: LG1849
Date received: 31/05/2019
Requested information: EHO Qualifiications
Status: Complete
Date responded: 13/06/2019
Response:
1 How many EHOs does your local authority currently employ ? One
2 When it employs EHOs does your local authority use the list of suitable qualifications on the Ministry of Health's website* to ensure EHO candidates are qualified? YES
* Please refer to the Ministry link to suitable qualifications:
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/environmental-health/environmental-health-officers-qualifications-regulations-1993
3 For EHO appointments are the Regulations referred to in your local authority's:
(a) recruitment policies? NO
(b) job descriptions? YES
4 Are the Regulations fit for purpose? NO
5 Could the Regulations be improved on from your perspective? If yes, in what ways?
Yes, the Regulations does not reflect how some TA’s with close boarders work collaboratively and have formal / informal contracts in place with other TA’s for access to technical expertise when trainees are employed.
There is limited availability to the types of NZQA courses available for trainees and are up to each TA to interpret what is suitable to include in individual training plans.
While there should still be a need to maintain Qualifications for the Profession, being able to draw on background knowledge and skills from other industry experience should be considered to determine if they should be appointed as “Trainee” while working towards a formal Qualification.”
2 When it employs EHOs does your local authority use the list of suitable qualifications on the Ministry of Health's website* to ensure EHO candidates are qualified? YES
* Please refer to the Ministry link to suitable qualifications:
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/environmental-health/environmental-health-officers-qualifications-regulations-1993
3 For EHO appointments are the Regulations referred to in your local authority's:
(a) recruitment policies? NO
(b) job descriptions? YES
4 Are the Regulations fit for purpose? NO
5 Could the Regulations be improved on from your perspective? If yes, in what ways?
Yes, the Regulations does not reflect how some TA’s with close boarders work collaboratively and have formal / informal contracts in place with other TA’s for access to technical expertise when trainees are employed.
There is limited availability to the types of NZQA courses available for trainees and are up to each TA to interpret what is suitable to include in individual training plans.
While there should still be a need to maintain Qualifications for the Profession, being able to draw on background knowledge and skills from other industry experience should be considered to determine if they should be appointed as “Trainee” while working towards a formal Qualification.”