20 October 2008 Media Release

Training Opportunities funding increased

The government has increased the Training Opportunities Programme funding by $7.6 million in light of the changing economic circumstances, Tertiary Education Minister Pete Hodgson said today.

The Training Opportunities Programme offers unemployed people over 18 the chance to gain skills that will help them find a job.

“In the May 2008 Budget the Training Opportunities Programme was reduced because of very low unemployment levels, the government’s substantial increase in programmes through the New Zealand Skills Strategy, and because some programmes were not of sufficient quality,” Pete Hodgson said.

“However there are early signs that the labour market is now weakening, so this increase in funding maintains the current level of training in 2009.

“The Tertiary Education Commission is considering 2009 funding with tertiary organisations. This additional funding maintains the baseline for 2009, and the Commission will be responsible for purchasing provision in line with the quality and performance targets for this programme.

“We are living in reasonably fast moving times and it is important that the government’s response to change is nimble,” Pete Hodgson said.

ENDS

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