XTEND.co.nz Does Just That

XTEND.co.nz Does Just That

New Zealand’s top education and learning website, Xtend.co.nz, is growing.

On the eve of Adult Learners’ Week (September 6 - 12) the site has been re-launched as an education and learning portal with two new sites – Professional training and Tertiary courses – to complement the existing Community courses site.

The Tertiary Education Commission has recognised Xtend.co.nz as New Zealand’s official Community Education course search website.

The revamped site features a sophisticated new search engine to hunt down courses of interest, from crafts to computing and French to fashion, and facilitate enrolment.

Xtend.co.nz spokesman Richard Poole says the site – the only complete education and lifelong learning portal in the country – aims to eventually cover every learning course in New Zealand.

“The site development has been driven by customer and market feedback sourced from extensive studies and our day-to-day interaction with customers who want simplicity in checking out education and learning options,” he said.

“Learning institutions are improving their marketing and increasing their reach, but the sheer volume and clutter from course providers often bombards and confuses potential students. Everyone’s selling, but no-one is there to act objectively and independently. Our site allows the public to set their own pace in evaluating, comparing and choosing the right course for them.”

Richard Poole says the portal’s upgrade is timely given an increased understanding of the importance of training and education.

“We’re now working across three categories – general society, the working/professional group and tertiary students. With society becoming more worldly, the former group wants to develop holistically and become more confident and well-rounded. The professionals are looking at their careers and scoping out how they can emerge from the pack while the tertiary students are in a similar position, striving to become more well-rounded and ensure a secure future.

“Our site has appeal to all three groups because the courses on our site help shape an individual. Taking guitar lessons to impress friends, French lessons or cooking classes to schmooze a potential partner or writing courses to have a crack at creative writing – they’re all valid options in self-improvement and greater social acceptability.”

As the number and variety of courses continues to grow Richard Poole says adult education is increasingly competing with general leisure activities.

“We’re finding that, instead of heading to the pub or catching a regular movie, people are looking to take courses that provide mental stimulation, a social environment and add to their skill base.

“In doing so, they not only have a fun night out, they become better balanced and meet like-minded people at the same time.”

Xtend.co.nz will be producing regular snapshots of what areas of learning interest New Zealanders.

Founder Steve Mawdsley adds that the site will soon feature advice and planning editorial, regular market surveys and expert opinion to shed light on upskilling and the employment market.

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