NZNO seeks your feedback on proposals for change to the vocational education sector which will affect the education and training of many members. Currently 16 institutes of technology and polytechnics receive $500 million of government funding annually and are facing significant financial challenges with student numbers in decline, domestically by 1/3 in the last 10 years.

Following engagement with a variety of stakeholders in 2018, the government has three main proposals for change, with a view to making a decision mid-year and legislation being introduced later this year. These proposals include:

• a New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology serving all of New Zealand and (so existing government owned institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) are brought together as single entity);
• a unified national funding system of vocational education and training and
• new roles for providers and industry bodies Industry Training Organisations

The consultation document and additional companion documents are attached below:

• Consultation discussion document
• Roles of providers and industry bodies - technical discussion document
• New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology - technical discussion document
• Unified funding system - technical discussion document

Please send feedback to sue.gasquoine@nzno.org.nz by 20 March 2019