Industry Training

A rescue plan for financially struggling polytechnics has turned into an upheaval for the whole industry training system in the Government's latest radical plan for education.

Today’s vocational education reform announcements spell major change and disruption for New Zealand’s Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) and Industry Training Organisations (ITOs).

Education Minister Chris Hipkins will be unveiling the Government's plans for significant reforms to our polytechnics and institutes of technology today.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins says proposals to reform the "broken" vocational education sector could mean job losses, but it is irresponsible to speculate that 1000 people would lose their jobs.

The National Party says the Government's plans to reform polytechnics and institutes of technology will lead to 1000 job losses, a radical centralised model, and the closure of polytechnics in the regions.

Going on to tertiary studies after leaving school isn’t always the best option for all senior students, and Queen Charlotte College in Marlborough is finding its hands-on training in aquaculture is perfect for students with a practical bent and a passion for the outdoors.

As the institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) sector readies itself for potential major consolidation, the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) has called for the Government to significantly increase funding to the sector and to prioritise the needs of staff and students.

The Telford campus of Taratahi Agricultural Centre has been spared for at least another 12 months thanks to the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) who will take over the campus.

The Government is ploughing more than $100 million into regional employment, focused on Māori and Pasifika people, in another series of announcements made in the lead-up to Waitangi Day.

As the Government prepares to release proposals to reform New Zealand’s vocational education and training (VET) system, Industry Training Federation chief executive Josh Williams emphasises that the vocational education system must work together to meet the current and emerging needs of industry.