Latest news with #Weltec
Scoop
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Supported Learners Carry The Burden Of Minister's Delusion
Minister of Vocational Education Penny Simmonds told the Education and Workforce Select Committee yesterday that she thinks most polytechnics are overstaffed, describing what she considers high staffing levels as 'abysmal'. Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union is pointing to cuts currently proposed to educational opportunities for supported learners as a prime example of the human cost of her delusion. Weltec and Whitieria are proposing to disestablish both of their existing Level 1 Certificates in Skills for Living; and Skills for Learning and Working for Supported Learners. Along with the four full time equivalent staff members, the greater Wellington region will lose the only programmes of this kind for learners with disabilities if the proposal goes ahead. Kaiwhakahaere | Organiser Drew Mayhem says 'there is considerable demand for both these programmes within the community. Student numbers have not decreased. These cuts are purely due to the government's inability and unwillingness to provide a level of baseline funding that will avoid further contraction of the sector before it is in a permanent death spiral.' Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary Sandra Grey says 'the Minister uses an 18:1 student/staff ratio as a blunt instrument to measure viability but this misses the point of why we need polytechnics. If 12 disabled young people want to gain work skills in Porirua, why wouldn't we fund that? By her reckoning those 12 young people miss out on the future they deserve and 12 businesses miss out on great workers.' 'Furthermore, the Minister's Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill, if passed, will only further destabilise the provision of vocational education, as the bill provides no clarity on what the future of the sector looks like beyond closures and possible privatisation. New Zealanders deserve better. They were promised regional autonomy but instead are having our tertiary providers hollowed out from within.' To have your say on the Bill, click here for the TEU's submission guide, and here to make your submission by midnight tonight.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Weltec And Whitireia Cuts A Shocking Blow For Their Communities
Press Release – Tertiary Education Union These short-sighted moves rob future generations of study options, our future workforce of skilled workers and our future communities and regional economies of people who can build our infrastructure, cook for and entertain us and our future tourists, … Staff at Weltec and Whitireia have been left reeling by a change proposal, announced today, that if confirmed will see nearly 60 positions disestablished. This number represents over one in five academic staff members. Programmes facing the axe include Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Fabrication, Light Automotive Engineering, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Writing, Publishing, Cookery, Baking and Hospitality. In addition there are 6 full time equivalent roles proposed to go in the libraries and Māori carving and weaving programmes are under threat. Also of great concern it the loss of programmes that provide Skills for Learning and Working for students with disabilities. Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary Sandra Grey says 'this proposal is an enormous blow to the young people, the community and the people of the Wellington region. These short-sighted moves, carried out at the behest of Penny Simmonds and her government, rob future generations of study options, our future workforce of skilled workers and our future communities and regional economies of people who can build our infrastructure, cook for and entertain us and our future tourists, and tell our stories to the world. Helen Johnston, TEU Branch President at Whitireia says 'I feel for our community – Whitireia is the lifeblood of the region and it's our young people, our students, who are ultimately hurt the most at times like this. I worry about those who may miss out on the future they deserve and I worry for the quality of their education that will be delivered by the depleted stadd who will remain. Leo Pirini, Te Uepu Representitive at Weltec says 'I'm shocked. This is a big blow and my heart goes out to my colleagues who are impacted by this – they are all great people and talented educators. Some of them have been very long serving and loyal to their students and their institution. It's heartbreaking.'
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Weltec And Whitireia Cuts A Shocking Blow For Their Communities
Staff at Weltec and Whitireia have been left reeling by a change proposal, announced today, that if confirmed will see nearly 60 positions disestablished. This number represents over one in five academic staff members. Programmes facing the axe include Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Fabrication, Light Automotive Engineering, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Writing, Publishing, Cookery, Baking and Hospitality. In addition there are 6 full time equivalent roles proposed to go in the libraries and Māori carving and weaving programmes are under threat. Also of great concern it the loss of programmes that provide Skills for Learning and Working for students with disabilities. Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary Sandra Grey says 'this proposal is an enormous blow to the young people, the community and the people of the Wellington region. These short-sighted moves, carried out at the behest of Penny Simmonds and her government, rob future generations of study options, our future workforce of skilled workers and our future communities and regional economies of people who can build our infrastructure, cook for and entertain us and our future tourists, and tell our stories to the world. Helen Johnston, TEU Branch President at Whitireia says 'I feel for our community – Whitireia is the lifeblood of the region and it's our young people, our students, who are ultimately hurt the most at times like this. I worry about those who may miss out on the future they deserve and I worry for the quality of their education that will be delivered by the depleted stadd who will remain. Leo Pirini, Te Uepu Representitive at Weltec says 'I'm shocked. This is a big blow and my heart goes out to my colleagues who are impacted by this – they are all great people and talented educators. Some of them have been very long serving and loyal to their students and their institution. It's heartbreaking.'
