Latest news with #PennySimmonds'
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Polytech boss 'deeply disappointed' over change
Otago Polytechnic's leaders are "deeply disappointed" with a new educational model they say will risk its future viability. Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds' yesterday announced 10 polytechnics — including Otago and the Southern Institute of Technology — would return to autonomy at the start of next year. The announcement marked the beginning of the end for mega-polytechnic Te Pukenga, which brought together the country's 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) five years ago. Ms Simmonds has frequently criticised Te Pukenga's model as being unwieldy and uneconomic — and unable to deliver vocational education to the regions. "This is a major milestone in building a vocational education system that's locally led, regionally responsive and future focused. "We've listened to extensive industry feedback and I'm confident our plan will set the sector up for long-term economic and learning success." The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand will be the anchor polytechnic of a new "federation", which would include Otago Polytechnic and Universal College Of Learning (UCOL). "The federation will co-ordinate programmes and other services, including shared academic boards. "It will provide a low overhead way for polytechnics to create more efficient business models than they could on their own through the use of online learning resources and programmes." Otago Polytechnic executive director Megan Potiki said she was deeply disappointed to see that Otago had been included as part of a federation model. "Otago Polytechnic currently boasts one of the highest learner completion rates in the polytechnic sector, and we are concerned that the federation model would dilute this offering and impact our organisation's proud reputation and future success. "The federation model risks undermining our learner success rates and the quality of teaching at Otago Polytechnic, and ultimately risks undermining our independence and future viability as a regional institution." Dr Potiki said the polytechnic would pursue a path towards independence, and would welcome the support of the government and the local community to get there. "Standing alone would mean the autonomy to make our own decisions and the ability to respond to the needs and aspirations of our ākonga [students], our kaimahi [staff], our local communities and employers." Green MP Francisco Hernandez said the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga had been more disruptive than the original merger. "The lack of support and ad hoc planning has cost nearly one in 10 jobs in the polytech sector and the closure of so many critical courses and campuses right across the country. "Here in Otago — we know that valuable courses such as horticulture and English foundation courses have gone by the wayside, along with countless jobs." Mr Hernandez said while it was good news some polytechnics got to stand on their own, the creation of the federation for polytechnics raised more questions than it answered. "The decision to create an awkward three-way merger between Otago Polytechnic, UCOL and Open Polytechnic is a questionable one. "The people of Otago ... deserve a thriving, local polytechnic that can meet the needs of the learners, communities and businesses that they serve — and a three-headed hydra that straddles two different islands isn't the answer." Tertiary Education Union general secretary Daniel Benson-Guiu said the federation model could end up being a "race to the bottom". "No-one asked or wanted to be part of the federation." There was the risk of creating a "confused system", he said. "Our concern is that it will lead to a reliance on online learning, which can become problematic, especially for those looking to get back into the education system — any limiting of face-to-face learning will only compound inequities in the system. "The minister had an assignment, she's presented it late, it's full of errors and she's upset a heap of staff in the process." Meanwhile, NorthTec, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, Whitireia Community Polytechnic and Wellington Institute of Technology and Tai Poutini Polytechnic will remain with Te Pukenga. Decisions about their futures are due in the first half of next year. The standing 10 The 10 polytechnics returning to regional governance are. — — Ara Institute of Canterbury (Ara) — Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) — Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) — Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) — Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology — Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) — Unitec Institute of Technology (Unitec) and Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), which will stand up as a single entity — Otago Polytechnic — Universal College of Learning (UCOL) — The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Otago Polytech to regain autonomy
Otago Polytechnic's leaders are "deeply disappointed" with a new educational model they say will risk its future viability. Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds' yesterday announced 10 polytechnics — including Otago and the Southern Institute of Technology — would return to autonomy at the start of next year. The announcement marked the beginning of the end for mega-polytechnic Te Pukenga, which brought together the country's 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) five years ago. Ms Simmonds has frequently criticised Te Pukenga's model as being unwieldy and uneconomic — and unable to deliver vocational education to the regions. "This is a major milestone in building a vocational education system that's locally led, regionally responsive and future focused. "We've listened to extensive industry feedback and I'm confident our plan will set the sector up for long-term economic and learning success." The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand will be the anchor polytechnic of a new "federation", which would include Otago Polytechnic and Universal College Of Learning (UCOL). "The federation will co-ordinate programmes and other services, including shared academic boards. "It will provide a low overhead way for polytechnics to create more efficient business models than they could on their own through the use of online learning resources and programmes." Otago Polytechnic executive director Megan Potiki said she was deeply disappointed to see that Otago had been included as part of a federation model. "Otago Polytechnic currently boasts one of the highest learner completion rates in the polytechnic sector, and we are concerned that the federation model would dilute this offering and impact our organisation's proud reputation and future success. "The federation model risks undermining our learner success rates and the quality of teaching at Otago Polytechnic, and ultimately risks undermining our independence and future viability as a regional institution." Dr Potiki said the polytechnic would pursue a path towards independence, and would welcome the support of the government and the local community to get there. "Standing alone would mean the autonomy to make our own decisions and the ability to respond to the needs and aspirations of our ākonga [students], our kaimahi [staff], our local communities and employers." Green MP Francisco Hernandez said the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga had been more disruptive than the original merger. "The lack of support and ad hoc planning has cost nearly one in 10 jobs in the polytech sector and the closure of so many critical courses and campuses right across the country. "Here in Otago — we know that valuable courses such as horticulture and English foundation courses have gone by the wayside, along with countless jobs." Mr Hernandez said while it was good news some polytechnics got to stand on their own, the creation of the federation for polytechnics raised more questions than it answered. "The decision to create an awkward three-way merger between Otago Polytechnic, UCOL and Open Polytechnic is a questionable one. "The people of Otago ... deserve a thriving, local polytechnic that can meet the needs of the learners, communities and businesses that they serve — and a three-headed hydra that straddles two different islands isn't the answer." Tertiary Education Union general secretary Daniel Benson-Guiu said the federation model could end up being a "race to the bottom". "No-one asked or wanted to be part of the federation." There was the risk of creating a "confused system", he said. "Our concern is that it will lead to a reliance on online learning, which can become problematic, especially for those looking to get back into the education system — any limiting of face-to-face learning will only compound inequities in the system. "The minister had an assignment, she's presented it late, it's full of errors and she's upset a heap of staff in the process." Meanwhile, NorthTec, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, Whitireia Community Polytechnic and Wellington Institute of Technology and Tai Poutini Polytechnic will remain with Te Pukenga. Decisions about their futures are due in the first half of next year. The standing 10 The 10 polytechnics returning to regional governance are. — — Ara Institute of Canterbury (Ara) — Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) — Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) — Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) — Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology — Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) — Unitec Institute of Technology (Unitec) and Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), which will stand up as a single entity — Otago Polytechnic — Universal College of Learning (UCOL) — The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
Scoop
24-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Energy Resources Aotearoa Welcomes New Industry-Led Work-based Learning Model
Energy Resources Aotearoa has welcomed Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds' announcement today confirming the introduction of an independent, industry-led model for work-based learning from 1 January 2026. John Carnegie, Chief Executive of Energy Resources Aotearoa, says the announcement reflects strong industry feedback and is a positive step forward for vocational education in New Zealand. "It's great to see the Government listening to industry and confirming the 'independent learning model' that we and others have strongly advocated for," says Carnegie. "This approach recognises the importance of relevant, fit-for-purpose training that meets the real needs of employers and learners." Carnegie says the energy sector, in particular, has faced challenges under the current system. "In the past, the energy industry has had to work across two different standard-setting bodies, creating fragmentation and inefficiencies. We would like to see a cohesive Industry Skills Board representing the broad energy sector to ensure consistency and coordination across our workforce needs. This is especially important given the skills deficit and the particular challenges the sector faces to deliver secure, reliable and affordable energy to households and businesses." Carnegie says the timeframe is tight, but the 2026 start date provides some runway to prepare for the transition. "We acknowledge that the timeframe is ambitious, but we also appreciate the clarity that changes will take effect from January 2026. This allows industry and training providers to plan for a smooth shift." Carnegie also highlights the need for more detail on implementation. "We would like to see more detail on how the Industry Skills Boards will be appointed and when this process will begin. It's also important that we get clarity around the structure of these boards, particularly which industries will fall under which board, and how those decisions will be made. This is especially important given the skills deficit and the particular challenges the sector now faces to deliver secure, reliable and affordable energy to households and businesses." Energy Resources Aotearoa looks forward to working closely with Government to ensure the new model delivers high-quality, relevant training that supports a skilled workforce for the energy sector and beyond.
