Zero fees for Tai Poutini Polytech

July 5, 2004

Zero fees for Tai Poutini Polytech on the West Coast

All courses on the Tai Poutini Polytechnic on the West Coast will be offered without any fees next year, chief executive Don Campbell said today.

The West Coast institution is the only polytech in New Zealand offering zero fees from their own resources.

Many programmes (courses) such as chefing, outdoor recreation, and leadership and guiding, were now included in the zero-fee initiative.

Polytech council Chair, Allan Beaumont, said the move would attract more students to study on the West Coast.

``Our flagship programmes are renowned throughout New Zealand for the quality of graduates.’’

Chief executive Don Campbell said they planned to increase student numbers, improve qualification levels and lift the skills in the West Coast.

``By offering all programmes without tuition fees we aim to reduce the cost barriers to tertiary education. Our commitment is to our region and to returning the excellent financial results of 2003 to benefit the local community. The Coast is a great place to live and study, with small classes, individual attention and great tutors.’’

The move applies to courses in Reefton, Westport, Hokitika and Greymouth.

Students still pay for Students’ Association fees and for materials used on their course.

Tai Poutini Polytechnic is climbing up the tertiary league ladder in New Zealand and has special programmes fitting into the West Coast environment.

These include a search and rescue courses which has the backing of Search and Rescue New Zealand.

It is the biggest search and rescue graduate course in New Zealand. The West Coast is frequently launching searches to find and rescue lost trampers, mountaineers and tourists.

The polytech at Greymouth is on the doorstep of the Southern Alps and is one of the fastest growing tertiary institutions in New Zealand.

Tai Poutini, the most isolated polytech in New Zealand, trebled its surplus to $2.5 million on an income of $16 million last year.

The West Coast Polytech also leads the way in providing nationwide training for scaffolders. Over the past five years more than 1200 trainees have gained their national certificate in scaffolding at Tai Poutini.

ENDS

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