Vocational training for the automotive and heavy diesel sector as well as other trades will get a radical makeover if the coalition government has its way.
The government is proposing to merge 16 polytechnics around the country into one national entity called the New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology which administer to all students, apprentices and industry trainees.
It is one of three proposals released today by education minister Chris Hipkins.
“It’s time to reset the whole system and fundamentally rethink the way we view vocational education and training, and how it’s delivered,” he says.
“The Coalition Government proposes to establish a unified, coordinated, national system of vocational education and training.
The two other proposals include redefined roles for education providers and Industry Training Organisations (ITO) to extend the leadership role of industry and employers, and a unified vocational education funding system.
“We would also ensure there’s strong regional influence in the New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology through the proposed formation of regional leadership groups which would identify the needs of the local economy and become a key link between local government, employers, iwi and communities.
“The development of courses and programmes would be consolidated, improving consistency and freeing up resources to expand front-line delivery. There will be more sharing of expertise and best-practice, and more use of online, distance, and blended learning.
“The Government envisages that the New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology, and perhaps also wānanga, host centres of vocational excellence (CoVEs). These power houses of expertise could cover key sectors and industries, which could be broad (eg, agriculture) or specific (eg, viticulture).
“What we are proposing is ambitious, but it needs to be. We cannot continue to tweak the system knowing that the model is fundamentally broken, and isn’t delivering our workforce the skills that they need to thrive.
“The proposals released today may go ahead in this or another form, but the Government won’t make any decisions until we have heard and carefully considered feedback from this consultation process,” says Hipkins.
Public consultation is open until 27 March.
