Major polytech merger including Toi Ohomai

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is just one of the 16 New Zealand Industry Training Providers that will merge into a single entity under a massive overhaul of the industry.

With the polytechnics and technical institutes facing what one commentator called a "perfect storm" of demographic shift and government policy changes, Education Minister Chris Hipkins released his proposal to strengthen the "broken" sector on Wednesday.

The proposals would also see industry and employers have greater say over the sector, as well as more distance and "blended" learning.

Chris says the proposal is not about job losses and there's no recent advice on how many staff would be affected.

"At a time when we're facing critical skill shortages, too many of our polytechnics and institutes of technology are going broke," he says.

"The strong labour market is encouraging young people to move directly into the workforce rather than continue in formal education, when it needs to be smarter and accommodate both.

"And our system isn't geared up for the future economy, where re-training and up-skilling will be a regular feature of everyone's working life.

"Instead of our institutes of technology retrenching, cutting programmes, and closing campuses, we need them to expand their course delivery in more locations around the country."

The proposal would see 16 New Zealand Industry Training Providers brought together as a single entity called New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology.

The new organisation would be able to address local skill shortages through "regional leadership groups" to look at local needs.

The funding system for vocation education would be unified, and roles would be redefined to extend leadership roles for the industry and employers.

"The development of courses and programmes would be consolidated, improving consistency and freeing up resources to expand front-line delivery," says Chris.

"There will be more sharing of expertise and best-practice, and more use of online, distance, and blended learning."

The proposals were "ambitious", as they had to be, he says.

"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."

Public consultation is open until March 27.

Polytechnic Campuses around NZ that will be affected are:

Ara Institute of Canterbury – Christchurch, Timaru, Ashburton, Oamaru

Eastern Institute of Technology – Taradale (Napier), Gisborne

Manukau Institute of Technology – Otara, Manukau City Centre, Mangere, Auckland CBD (NZ Maritime School)

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology – Nelson, Blenheim

Northland Polytechnic – Whangarei, Kerikeri, Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Dargaville, Auckland CBD

Otago Polytechnic – Dunedin, Cromwell, Auckland CBD

Southern Institute of Technology – Invercargill, Gore, Queenstown, Telford, Christchurch, Auckland CBD

Tai Poutini Polytechnic – Greymouth, Westport, Reefton, Wanaka, Christchurch, Mangere

The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand – Lower Hutt

Unitec New Zealand – Mt Albert, Henderson

Universal College of Learning – Palmerston North, Whanganui, Levin, Masterton

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology – Rotorua, Tauranga, Taupo, Whakatane, Tokoroa

Waikato Institute of Technology – Hamilton

Wellington Institute of Technology – Petone, Wellington, Auckland CBD

Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki – New Plymouth, Hawera

Whitireia Community Polytechnic – Porirua, Wellington, Auckland CBD.

-Stuff.co.nz/Tom Hunt

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1 comment

Nonsence

Posted on 04-11-2019 08:46 | By Kaimai

Why does Auckland CBD need 5 Polytechs? Why does Otago Polytech need and Auckland CBD presence?Maybe if there was less empire building and more tutoring the Minister would have no need to get involved.


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