ITPs Focus on Skilling NZ’s Recovery

MEDIA RELEASE

28 May 2009
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of New Zealand

ITPs Focus on Skilling NZ’s Recovery

The Budget has retained capability in the institutes of technology and polytechnics sector for 2010, allowing ITPs to continue skilling NZ’s recovery.

“We appreciate the Government’s respect for investment plans agreed with ITPs, and a 1.95% inflation adjustment for 2010, allowing them to plan with confidence for mid-year enrolments. With enrolments booming this year, and likely to increase further next year, the Government has ensured that ITPs continue to deliver,” said Dave Guerin, Executive Director of ITP New Zealand.

“ITPs could have done more with more resources, and still could, but we know money is tight. We are doing our bit by enrolling more students than we receive funding for. Even so, enrolments will be restricted at all ITPs this year.”

ITPs deliver good value for money, with 62% of students passing all courses for which they are funded, and 74% passing over half of their funded courses in 2007. The professional and vocational education courses on offer are just what is needed to skill NZ’s recovery.

“While resources are secure, we will continue to press the Minister of Education for more flexibility. If we move towards a performance-based system, regulation needs to be freed up. This is doubly important when the recession is changing flows of students and industry needs. Now that the Budget is out of the way, we want to engage with the Government on some flexible solutions.”

“It is worrying to see the Government whittling away ITPs’ role in serving communities and businesses from 2011 onwards. The Government has announced cuts to adult and community education and short-course training for businesses. It has also signalled that funding for apprentice training, regional and specialist provision may be cut.”

“Those negative signals after 2011 concern us, but we retain our capacity for this year and the next, so it is time to get on with business.”

ENDS

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