Kia ora koutou,

Welcome to the latest edition of RoVE News.  It’s been a busy start to the year for all of us here at the TEC, and Covid-19 has not exactly made it easier. Like many of you, our team members and their whānau are feeling the impact of the current outbreak. We are still forging ahead with our important reform mahi, conscious that wellbeing and keeping ourselves and our communities safe are priorities right now.

I continue to be impressed by the commitment and passion you all bring to RoVE.  Comprehensive reform programmes like this one don’t happen that often and it is a privilege to be involved in something that is so vital to the future of New Zealand. Which is why I am particularly pleased that we are able to bring some key sector representatives together at the RoVE virtual hui.

The online hui takes place on April 6 and will be a great opportunity to connect across the sector.  The new entities that have been set up through the reforms - Workforce Development Councils (WDCs), Regional Skills Leadership Groups (RSLG) and Te Pūkenga – will be represented, as will the education agencies and other key stakeholders. The purpose of the hui is to engage in discussion on how we can integrate the parts of the reforms and build on the connections and collaboration we need to deliver RoVE.

It will be a highly informative day for our participants, with a programme that includes addresses from Minister Hipkins and Minister Sepuloni.  There will be a panel discussion on the vision of the reforms and presentations from WDC, RSLG and Centre of Vocational Education representatives on their work delivering the reforms.

Dr Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, Taumata Aronui, will discuss how the reforms will promote Te Tiriti principles; we will hear from Te Pūkenga learner representatives on their education and training experiences; and the hui will conclude with a discussion on working together – how to make connections and leverage our knowledge and networks.

We will report back on the hui in the next edition of RoVE News. The hui is only one part of our engagement for this year and we hope that it will be a springboard to help all of those working in the reforms.

Keep safe, keep well, noho ora mai.

Ngā mihi,

Paul Delahunty