Tim Fowler, Chief Executive of the Tertiary Education Commission, said, “CoVEs will play an important role in driving innovation in vocational education and strengthening links with industry and communities. Today we have established a fundamental part of the new vocational education system.”

Jeremy Baker, Chair of the Food and Fibre Skills Establishment Group, believes the food and fibre industry is the backbone of communities all over Aotearoa New Zealand.

“NZ’s success with food and fibre is because of our people, and their capability and innovation. Maintaining our reputation and growing our contribution will need a skilled workforce and excellent workplaces that meet the current and future needs of the food and fibre sectors.

“In particular higher skills, different skills and specialist skills will be essential to take advantage of future opportunities and meet future challenges. All members of the Food and Fibre CoVE are excited to get started on helping to build an education and training system that is responsive and fit-for-purpose.”

The Construction CoVE bid was led by Professor Martin Carroll from the Manukau Institute of Technology. “I see the Construction CoVE as an opportunity to focus on fresh ideas to boost the construction sector,” he said.

“With so many infrastructure projects greenlit across New Zealand, we need to make sure that the sector has skilled people at every level available to do the jobs, and that all workers in our industry are supported throughout their career.”

In the announcement, Minister Hipkins said CoVEs will help build resilience in a COVID-19 environment.

“The Primary Sector CoVE and the Construction CoVE are industry and education-led. They bring together industry, researchers, tertiary providers, iwi, and other groups from across the country to work on the specific issues and opportunities each sector has identified, and develop solutions for training and education.”

“The construction and primary sectors were chosen as the pilot CoVEs in response to the skills shortage and rapid technological changes happening in these sectors.”

You can find out more about CoVEs, including more details about what the first two CoVEs will cover, on the RoVE pages on this site.