Changing needs of tertiary learning

New Campus Launch – takes a close look at changing needs of tertiary learning in the Wellington region

It used to be the Working Men’s Club on Cuba Mall; a cheap pint, smoky rooms and sagging pool tables.  As the new Wellington campus for Whitireia Community Polytechnic, fibre optic networks replace the camaraderie of bar room socialism. Budding journalists, bloggers, editors and publishing managers, office managers and business entrepreneurs now rest their elbows on contemporary computer desks.Its clean and contemporary, a $1M redevelopment.

To be formally opened by US Ambassador Bill McCormick and the Honorable Luamanuvao WinnieLaban on Tuesday 1 July, the campus vision for flexible, in workplace, B2B and internet enhanced training encapsulates the themes of New Zealand’s changing workplaces.

The effect of the current employment environment, government strategies, global labour markets and the economic structure of the Wellington Region on tertiary learning needs is the subject ofThe Future Demand for Tertiary Education Services in the Wellington Region 2009 – 2011to be released on the Tertiary Education Commission and Whitireia websites shortly.

The increasingly diverse information and learning environment that shapes the labour market has had a big impact on tertiary training needs. It is easy to see in courses at Whitireia Wellington; Dave Lee ‘The UK’s Best Blog Journalist’ takes traditional journalism training into the cloud of social networking that occurs on the internet. Students can study with the nation’s leading publishing course either face to face in contemporary refitted Working Man’s Clubrooms, or completely online. Even office management programmes are offered directly into the work place or home in the ‘Flexi Learn’ programme.

The new Wellington Campus is perfectly positioned for a new approach to tertiary training that strengthens industry connections, flexible learning options and bridges geographies.  “It is a place of learning that engages with the world, located in the capital, with programmes that reach out tointernational activities and events, supported by state of the art IT infrastructure says Don Campbell, Chief Executive of Whitireia Community Polytechnic. Through building this campus’ linkages overseas, our graduates will be more mobile, more adaptive and particularly eager to play a part in the world”.

The Working Men’s Clubhas had a smart, contemporary refit. There are no long, lagging conversations at the bar, but instead the challenging exclamation of Journalism tutor Jim Tuckerquestions a full class, the students laugh in response and get right down to it.

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