Ten priorities for improving tertiary education in the central and lower North Island have been identified through a series of workshops and captured into one report, the first of its kind to be prepared for the wider Region. The report, which was released today, provides a useful platform for tertiary providers to base their planning on. Priorities include encouraging younger people and students to develop and focus their skills into areas of regional excellence and to become leaders in these fields. Another priority is to increase the literacy, numeracy and language training for those already in the workforce and design education to fit with the needs of the working environment.
The Regional Statement covers the tertiary education needs, gaps and priorities for an area encompassing eleven local authority areas. The statement reflects the views of tertiary education providers and stakeholders in Ruapehu, Wanganui, South Taranaki, Rangitikei, Manawatu, Palmerston North, Tararua, South Wairarapa, Carterton, Masterton, and Horowhenua.
Clare Crawley, UCOL�s Deputy Chief Executive, said the regional statement is a relatively high level document that includes demographic and economic data on labour market trends, as well as current tertiary education provision.
Other than Palmerston North, all communities experience barriers to accessing higher levels of education, and many face significant problems in accessing even lower levels. Longer working lives, rapidly changing technologies, and increasingly global labour markets all mean that many people will need to make several career changes and/or skill upgrades during their working lives. These needs require support, not just in terms of education provision, but also in terms of career planning advice.
The regional statement also says that there can appear to be a confusing array of possible qualifications and career paths, and young people need access to current advice from the middle years of schooling onwards, together with experiential opportunities for testing their interests.
The Region as a whole has comparatively large proportions of population with low or no qualifications. The population is experiencing labour shortages, while at the same time, developing a number of niche industries. Many low skilled people are already in the workforce but will need new skills to adapt to new technologies and industry changes.
UCOL organised workshops and fora around the Region for both tertiary education providers and key stakeholders to put forward their views. These are reflected in the document, along with feedback received on an early draft version. This document is UCOL�s first step in carrying out its new role of regional facilitation that the government has recently assigned to all Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics.
"The purpose of UCOL�s role in regional facilitation is to foster better cooperation among tertiary education providers and improve interaction with stakeholders. The aim is to improve the ability of the sector to respond to labour market needs efficiently and effectively. There is a considerable amount of work to be done and success relies heavily on the goodwill of organisations with an interest in tertiary education outcomes" said Ms Crawley. "We are looking forward to making more progress and doing what we can in this new regional facilitation role."
