Closer collaboration for industry skill developm't

4 August 2005

Closer collaboration for industry skill development

New Zealand is another step closer to the cohesive tertiary education system it needs.

Today the country’s Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) and Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) have announced they’ve reached agreement with the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) on a way to work together that will result in the more efficient use of government money for up-skilling industry.

“What’s really significant about this agreement is the way in which ITPs and ITOs have worked in partnership with the Tertiary Education Commission to find a way forward to solve the issue of unnecessary competition and duplication between ITPs and ITOs,” said Max Kerr, TEC Group Manager Liaison and Development.

“The principles that have been developed will ensure learners get a relevant, quality education, employers have access to the training they need to build their workforces’ capability, and different funding streams are used appropriately so the taxpayer gets value for money.

“The principles also provide a mechanism to make sure that potential duplication is identified, assessed and a win-win solution worked out.”

Max Kerr said underpinning the new principles is the TEC’s commitment to the current industry training model. “We believe that choice in industry training pathways promotes good accessibility and serves the needs of different groups of learners well.”

Linda Sissons, President of ITPNZ, said: “ITPNZ welcomes the promulgation of the principles, and is supportive of the concept of collaboration between ITPs and ITOs”.

John Meeuwsen, Chair of the Industry Training Federation, said: “The agreed set of operating principles provides a sound basis for strengthening positive relationships between individual ITPs and ITOs for the benefit of learners, industry and the taxpayer.”

ENDS

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