Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Training for beneficiaries to get better results

Training for beneficiaries to get better results

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce today announced changes to the Training Opportunities Programme (TOP's).

TOPS training courses for beneficiaries are to be reconfigured to have a greater emphasis on getting people into work.

“I am committed to helping beneficiaries get the skills they need to help them get a job,” says Ms Bennett.

The Ministry of Social Development currently funds TOPS contracts which are 100 percent managed by the Tertiary Education Commission.

The changes will see a 40:60 split between MSD and TEC managed contracts.

“I’m satisfied this provides the right level of tailored courses, both long and short to respond to the varied educational needs of beneficiaries,” says Mr Joyce.

A review of the current TOPS programme found three quarters of beneficiaries who did courses were still on benefits three months after completion.

“We want to do more to get beneficiaries the right training and skills to assist them in to work more quickly,” says Ms Bennett.

"Around half of participants are close to being work ready and don’t need long-term training. They need skills that are relevant to local employers,” says Ms Bennett.

Forty percent of TOP's funding will be invested in short, employment-focused training programmes via MSD.

There will be a tighter focus on helping those people needing basic, foundation skills such as improved literacy.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Work and Income will use its knowledge of labour markets to help TOPS graduates find meaningful work.

Sixty percent of TOP’s funding will be managed by TEC largely for longer courses.

"It makes sense to target our investment in training so that every dollar spent is spent well, it's about being smarter with what we’ve got,” says Ms Bennett.

Ministers Joyce and Bennett acknowledge the change is a significant shift for providers and MSD and TEC will work with them as they adapt some courses.

"I cannot stress enough that MSD and TEC are committed to ensuring this transition is a smooth one,” says Mr Joyce.

MSD is committed to working closely with providers and has the infrastructure to do so immediately.

Work and Income and TEC will be contacting all providers to discuss the implementation of the changes.

"Our people throughout the country will be meeting face to face with providers to talk this through, answer questions and address concerns," Minister Bennett said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.