New café skills programme responds to West Coast demand
9 Jun 2022
New café skills programme responds to West Coast demand Strong demand from learners and employers, and the expectation that border re-openings will stoke the West Coast tourism industry, has prompted Tai Poutini Polytechnic to offer a new café skills programme through the West Coast Trades Academy. The programme will start in June and offer students the opportunity to learn the skills needed to work in the busy café and hospitality industry. Tai Poutini Polytechnic is the largest provider of training options through the West Coast Trades Academy which gives secondary students options to start vocational training in different areas. Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Manager Teaching and Learning Moira Todd says the programme is being offered in the second half of this year due to strong interest from learners keen to get started in the café business, and demand from local employers for skilled staff. “At Tai Poutini Polytechnic we aim to be flexible and responsive to the local industry in order to meet the training and employment needs of the West Coast. We’re excited to offer this hands-on programme to high school students through the Trades Academy and we know it will help them get started on a career in hospitality. “Covid-19 has had an impact on business right around...
Read the full postWest Coast Conservation Training and Employment Hub a model for New Zealand learning
30 May 2022
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Horticulture programme contributes to green economy focus
30 May 2022
Horticulture programme contributes to green economy focus A new horticulture training programme, aimed at those looking to turn their interest in growing into a career, is one of the first to be offered by Tai Poutini Polytechnic through the new West Coast Conservation Training and Employment Hub. The Westport‐based programme starts in July and offers flexible learning options in partnership with the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. Covering the basics for growing plants from seeds, propagation, soil management, pest and weed control, pruning and landscaping, the programme is aimed at those looking to start a career in the horticulture industry, or people who want to improve their skills and knowledge. And even better: learners enrolling in the programme are eligible for free fees under the Government’s Covid‐19 recovery fund. Manager Teaching and Learning Peter O’Sullivan says it is a ideal learning option for those who are looking to begin their learning journey or to become more self‐sufficient or feed themselves and their whānau off their own land. “The new programme is linked to our Conservation Training and Employment Hub, which supports the evolution of a nature centred economy on the West Coast. With issues of climate change, geographic isolation and the cost of living all having an impact on West Coasters, the idea of becoming more selfsustainable is gaining...
Read the full postLearner satisfaction on the rise at Tai Poutini Polytechnic
26 May 2022
Learner satisfaction on the rise at Tai Poutini Polytechnic. Student satisfaction with their studies at Tai Poutini Polytechnic has risen in the past year, with almost all learners in 2021 happy with their training and considering it valuable for their future. Independently collected survey data shows overall student satisfaction rose four percentage points in 2021 on the previous year, with 99% of students rating their satisfaction a four or five out of five. Also in 2021, 100% of Tai Poutini Polytechnic Māori graduates rated their overall satisfaction a five out of five. Chief Executive Alex Cabrera says this is an excellent result for the institute that reflects significant effort in recent times to focus on the delivery of quality, sustainable vocational education that meets the needs of the West Coast. “I’m very pleased with the survey outcomes and proud of the work our staff have put in to support learners and ensure they achieve the results and outcomes they need to continue their learning and work journeys. “In recent years we’ve implemented a range of performance improvement measures that have focused on the quality of our programmes, a focus on meeting regional employment needs and the way we support and encourage our learners to achieve. We’ve seen our national quality rating – carried out by NZQA – improve...
Read the full postStakeholder News | May 2022
19 May 2022
Stakeholder News Stakeholder News | May 2022 Kia ora koutou, We’re nearly half-way through the year already, with plenty of events and activities to look forward to in the second half of 2022. I encourage you to take a look through the programme of events for the upcoming Techweek – there’s a good range of options and I’m pleased that Tai Poutini Polytechnic is able to support bringing the national event to the West Coast. Here on campus we’re preparing for our mid-year programmes to start and to welcome new students – there’s still time to enrol so if you or someone you know is thinking about upskilling read on for the options starting soon. As one of our community partners, I want to talk to you in more detail soon about the changes that are happening across vocational education and training in New Zealand. The operating model for Te Pūkenga is under development, setting out how the new system will operate and where we all fit in the puzzle. Tai Poutini Polytechnic has taken an active role in developing the new model for learning, always keeping one eye on the need to retain regional leadership and ensure the West Coast voice is heard. There will...
Read the full postDriving simulators to robot‐building – Techweek 2022 hits the West Coast
2 May 2022
Driving simulators to robot-building – Techweek 2022 hits the West Coast More than a dozen free, tech-focused events are coming to the West Coast as part of this year’s Techweek 2022 programme. From robot-building and a virtual driving simulator, through to events on digital wellbeing and gaming support for parents, this year’s local event schedule has something for everyone. Tai Poutini Polytechnic is once again supporting the annual nationwide tech event, which showcases and celebrates New Zealand technology. Techweek is a nationwide series of events, providing a platform for everyone to meet, share ideas and create connections for a better tomorrow. Tai Poutini Polytechnic supports the national tech event by promoting and coordinating locally focused events here on the West Coast. Events kick-off on Monday 16 May, running through to 22 May. This year’s themes include: skills and knowledge, digital transformation, climate and sustainability, global impact, leaders and innovation, and Māori tech participation. Tai Poutini Polytechnic Techweek Coordinator Paige Smith says there is a fantastic range of local events lined-up this year. “I encourage everyone to take a look at the online events schedule as there’s sure to be something of interest. We’re really excited to host at our Greymouth campus a free driving simulator event to help Year 12 and 13 students to test their road safety and...
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Stakeholder News April 2022
7 Apr 2022
Stakeholder News | April 2022 Kia ora koutou, A big highlight this month was the opening of the Conservation Training and Employment Hub, a partnership between Tai Poutini Polytechnic and Buller District Council that leverages off our education partners and aims to bring positive benefits for the entire West Coast. This is an exciting development and showcases the opportunities presented to our region under the new Te Pūkenga network approach to vocational education in New Zealand. We’re still working through the details of the Hub, which will reflect the needs of local employers and the region to stimulate employment and growth. I look forward to working with many of you on this great initiative and will keep you posted as the work rolls-out. In other news, it was good to see the start of the annual YES programme, where we’re able to support local high school students to learn business skills from mentors and community members, and we’re looking forward to another packed schedule of local events for the annual Techweek event in May. There’s plenty going on once again and, as always, we value your input and always welcome your feedback and suggestions as we seek to provide quality, innovative and flexible training options that...
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