Can’t we just leave the vocational education system as it is?

For learners to receive the education and training they need for the workplace, employers to have  greater access to a skilled, work-ready workforce across all regions of New Zealand, and regions to have collaborative, flexible, innovative and sustainable providers, the system needs to be comprehensively reformed.  

Our world is rapidly changing – one third of our jobs will be affected by automation so New Zealand needs to be on its game and ready for a fast-changing future of skills, learning and work. The skills shortage can’t be ignored and the Government is tackling the long-term challenges of skill shortages and the mismatch between the training provided and the needs of employers.

Industry also needs to have a say in what providers teach so that on-campus and online learners learn the skills they need to be ready for the world of work.

Won’t RoVE interrupt current training at Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs)?

Education and training continue as normal – there are no overnight changes! 

Everyone is open for business and keen to accept enrolments and continue to support trainees and apprentices throughout the change process. If you have a team member on an apprenticeship or undertaking training through an Industry Training Organisation (ITO) or polytechnic, they‘ll be able to continue training with little change over the next year or two. If you’re thinking of taking on an apprentice then please talk to your ITO.

Keep enrolling, studying and working towards your goals! You should see minimal change over 2019 and 2020 and your studies should not be impacted by these changes. Support services currently available to you should remain unchanged. Any changes will be carefully managed and happen gradually.

Won’t merging regional ITPs affect regional autonomy?

RoVE is about backing all regions so they can succeed. The Government wants to create a unified and strong vocational education system that delivers more for the regions, so every learner has more choice in accessing quality vocational programmes and teaching where they live and work.  

Changes through RoVE will improve and extend regional access and responsiveness. By making the system more efficient and more flexible, as well as more embedded in regional labour markets, it will mean better service for our regions. From 1 April 2020, each ITP will have its own Board including people from their region.

The Government is also establishing 15 Regional Skills Leadership Groups (RSLGs) to ensure each region’s voice is heard across education, welfare and immigration needs and issues.

Has everyone with an interest in vocational education had a chance to have a say about RoVE?

On 13 February 2019, the Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, presented three proposals to the vocational education and training sector and launched a seven-week consultation. The consultation was open for everyone to provide feedback on.

We received 2,904 submissions, and met with more than 5,000 people in approximately 190 events, meetings and forums, listening to feedback and thoughts on the proposals and getting a clearer picture of what people hold dear in relation to the vocational education system.

Thirty-five meetings and events were held specifically for staff and management at the 11 industry training organisations, while 99 meetings and events were organised with the 16 institutes of technology and polytechnics.

Following this consultation, Minister Hipkins announced the Government’s decisions on the Reform of Vocational Education proposals on 1 August 2019. Public written and oral submissions on the Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill were invited in October 2019 and a wide range of stakeholder engagement continues across the country. 

Will training on the job be affected by the RoVE?

There will be no overnight changes when Te Pūkenga (NZIST) comes into being on 1 April 2020. Through a carefully-managed, gradual approach, the role of supporting apprenticeships and other on-the-job training will move to the Te Pūkenga and other providers (wānanga and private training establishments) over the next 2-3 years. In the future, learners will be able to move between work and classroom and online study more easily based on their individual needs.  

Keep an eye on the TEC website for ongoing information.