New Zealand prosperity depends on tertiary education

Media release
5 March 2014

New Zealand prosperity depends on tertiary education

The Tertiary Education Strategy brings a good focus on the skills needed for a healthy economy says BusinessNZ.

BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly says the recent performance of the sector has been focused on qualifications and programmes completed.

“Gradually we are seeing an increased focused on applied skills and research needed to grow the economy, support businesses to innovate, and increase people’s incomes.

“Continuing this direction, while building more capacity to respond to new developments, technologies and needs through transferable skills, is sound policy.

“We need to ensure that skills gained match employment opportunities and that there are opportunities for all New Zealanders to update their skills to take account of change.

“We need a stronger focus on the upskilling and career needs of those currently in the workforce in addition to the priority of getting young people into careers.

“Progress has been made on information provision around careers and education choices - for example MBIE’s Occupation Outlook App - this kind of information provision could be developed further.

“The big need remains for stronger connections between industry, employers and tertiary education organisations, to ensure tertiary education is relevant and robust.

“Business would like to see clear plans to get the tertiary sector to these desired outcomes,” Mr O’Reilly said.

ENDS

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