A government funding boost for the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic will help provide key skills in the Bay of Plenty, according to the polytechnic.
The polytechnic received just over $600,000 in additional funding for 2010 as part of the government's Youth Opportunities package.

The funding will enable the polytechnic an additional 74 fulltime student places targeted at students under 25 years of age and for programmes at level four and above on the national qualifications framework.
The programme offerings will include business and computing, tourism and hospitality, construction management and surveying, environmental management, graphic design, health care and early childhood education.
The polytechnic is reporting strong demand for its programmes during 2009 and indications are that similar pressure will continue for 2010.
Polytechnic spokesperson Meg Jones says the additional funding not only reflects the good performance of the polytechnic, but as one of the fastest growing regions in the country, it is a welcome boost ensuring they provide key skills to the Bay's vital industries and wider community.
'The funding will also go some way to relieve the pressure rising from the capped funding environment,” says Meg.