Towards the formation of WDCs

Towards the formation of WDCs

Last updated 20 October 2020
Last updated 20 October 2020

WDC Industry diagram (PDF 768 KB) 

The establishment of the six Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) has moved a step closer. Focus has now moved from active engagement with industry to gathering ideas and feedback to inform the development of the draft Orders in Council (OiCs)1 proposals, to prepare the final draft documents for formal consultation.

An OiC is a type of ‘legislative instrument’ that is made by the Executive Council presided over by the Governor-General. It is needed to establish the WDC as a legal entity.

Over the past six weeks, the interim Establishment Boards (iEBs) have engaged with their sectors using one to one meetings, online hui, industry led hui, and collected detailed responses through online feedback forms.

Next step is that the information collected will be reviewed by each iEB to help inform the content of each draft OiC proposal. Proposals will then be released for formal consultation later this year where we will seek feedback on each WDC name, the industries it covers, and governance arrangements.

The formation of the WDCs is a significant milestone in the Reform of Vocational Education. Once established, WDCs will set a vision for New Zealand’s workforce, influence the vocational education and training system, and help industry take a lead in making New Zealand’s workforce fit for today, and the future.

1 An OIC is needed to formally establish the WDC as a legal entity.

Updates from the iEB Chairs 

Victoria Spackman, Chair of the Creative, Cultural, Recreation and Technology iEB shares, "our board members (proposed new name Toi Mai) have been engaging as widely as possible with the sectors it is designed to represent. There have been some really thoughtful and insightful opinions and there are likely to be changes to the proposal based on that feedback. I am really delighted by the quality of the responses we have received. It's clear where we have got things right and where we might not have.”

 

David Waters, Chair of Health, Community and Social Services iEB shares, “kia ora e te whānau. On behalf of the Health, Community and Social Services iEB it has been amazing to hear from so many organisations and experts within our WDC community. Thank you for your honest and insightful feedback and for helping us to shape the future vocational education system for our industries, employers and learners.  We will refine our engagement document in response to your input over the next couple of weeks in preparation for the planned TEC consultation later this year. Nāku te rourou, te rourou ka ora ai te iwi – With my basket and your basket together we will thrive”. 

 

Co-Chairs Dr Troy Coyle, Co-Chair and Renata Hakiwai of the Kanga-Aro-Rau Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics iEB. Dr Troy Coyle shares, “our Board met last week to review feedback from industry stakeholders on our revised proposal. We were appreciative of the thoughtful feedback and valuable insights we have received.”

 

Alastair Carruthers, Chair of the Services iEB shares, “the Services iEB has spent the last few weeks engaging with people from across the service industry about the proposed content of the Order in Council for the Services WDC. The final draft is almost complete, and we have appreciated the input of many stakeholders.  At our next meeting, the iEB will focus on developing a Te Reo Māori name for the WDC that captures the identity and spirit of the diverse sectors that make up the services industry.  The content of all proposals will then form part of formal consultation at the end of the year.” 

 

Elena Trout, Chair of Construction and Infrastructure iEB, shares “thank you to all the board members and industry representatives who have participated in the process up until now. Following consultation the iEB board members and the RoVE programme will turn their attention to the establishment of the WDCs next year."

For more information about RoVE, and the work to establish WDCs visit our website page