Education West Coast

The West Coast Development Trust has approved a grant to Education West Coast for the development of an education sector strategic plan for the West Coast.

In terms of educational status and performance, the West Coast profile has been lower on average than the rest of New Zealand, and Education West Coast and the West Coast Development Trust strongly believes in the need to establish a comprehensive Coast-wide education and training plan in response to these problems.

Mike Trousselot, CEO of the West Coast Development Trust, says that “the education plan fits within the objectives of the West Coast Economic Development Strategic Plan, and is a high priority for the Trust, and on completion will provide a blueprint for future action in the West Coast education sector.”

Don Campbell, Chairman of Education West Coast, said “the Plan will not only focus on the needs and aspirations of the education sector, but more importantly on how the sector can respond to and meet the needs of the community in general and employers in particular. A key focus will be on how to lift and improve educational achievement and participation rates as well as how to develop partnerships. This is an ambitious undertaking in that it seeks to provide a plan covering all sectors of education from pre-school to primary, secondary, tertiary and adult education. It’s probably a first in the country and Education West Coast is thrilled to receive support from the West Coast Development Trust.”

The group which prepared the funding application included Arthur Graves (Principal, Greymouth High School), Karen Hamilton (Westland REAP), Phil Sharpin (Skill New Zealand), and Don Campbell.

Consultation will be undertaken with key parties and it is envisaged that a draft plan will be available for public consultation in mid 2003.

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