WelTec sets fees for 2006 and offers help

9 November 2005

WelTec sets fees for 2006 and offers help

Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) has announced a minimal fee increase for 2006 of under 3%. WelTec CEO Dr Linda Sissons says that while the financial situation for polytechnics is challenging students should not be penalised.

“Many of our students are in difficult situations and we know what a fee increase can mean to them. Affordability of study is one of their primary concerns, because many who work part-time are just above the cut-off for allowances. With such a healthy job market some students are inevitably tempted to choose not to study and take unskilled jobs instead, leaving them vulnerable in the future.”

Dr Sissons says that fees can also become an issue for industry and the economy. “Many industries are suffering skills shortages and are queuing at our door for graduates. If fees are a barrier to people enrolling and we don’t get them in, they don’t come out at the other end.”

“One of the four important principles that we apply to setting fees is that they will be set to facilitate access to courses for students who traditionally may be disadvantaged.

“We must also generate sufficient income to cover expenditure, ensure effective and efficient use of resources and be in accordance with the Government funding guidelines,” says Dr Sissons.

WelTec has also introduced a number of other initiatives to assist students with fees and encourage them to enrol. “Students who get in and enrol before 16 December this year can enrol at 2005 prices, if fees have gone up for their courses,” says Dr Sissons.

“There are also a number of new scholarships that industry and community groups have offered for 2006, as well as Secondary School Scholarships that WelTec itself is offering.”

ENDS

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