Kōrero about the future of vocational learning on the Coast

Te Pūkenga leaders are visiting Tai Poutini Polytechnic in Greymouth today, talking with our people from the network and learners about the future of vocational learning and the work underway to build it.

Te Pūkenga is a new national entity established by the government to unite polytechnics and industry training organisations around the country into a national network. It will be easily accessible to learners while meeting the needs of employers.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-build a vocational learning system that is simple to navigate, responds to the needs of a diverse range of learners and employers and is flexible enough to change as the future develops,” Deputy Chief Executive Employer Journey and Experience, Warwick Quinn said.

“If we’re going achieve the goals we’ve set ourselves, we need to engage often with groups right across Aotearoa. We need to bring together the perspectives of our learners and their whānau, our people, employers, regions and communities, and Māori. That’s why I’m in Greymouth today with my colleagues, and why Te Pūkenga leadership are visiting 16 locations this month.”

Tai Poutini Polytechnic whānau from other campuses were able to join virtually for the main session.

“We need to be purposeful and use our collective experience to lift the bar for vocational learning, particularly for ākonga Māori, Pacific learners and learners with disabilities. Designing that system takes time and commitment from a broad range of people – and we’ve seen passion to be a part of that,” Deputy Chief Executive Academic and Delivery Dr Angela Beaton said.

At Tai Poutini Polytechnic, kōrero focused on the development of the operating model and academic regulations, as well as the learner insights gathered as part of the Ākonga at the Centre research.

“This is incredibly important mahi that will help shape the future of vocational learning. We know there’s a strong desire to know what the future looks like – we’re looking forward to providing an update on the next six to eight months, which includes co-design work on the operating model,” Dr Beaton said. Tai Poutini Polytechnic Chief Executive Alex Cabrera said

“It was a pleasure to welcome the Te Pukenga team to te kuratini o te Tai Poutini. The reforms means that we have more opportunities for collaborations and partnerships than ever; our aim is to leverage these to benefit our region and our learners. In support of the current reform of vocational education, Tai Poutini is exploring new ways of contributing to the reform with other subsidiary partners.

"Once fully established, Te Pūkenga will be New Zealand’s largest tertiary provider and the 35th largest globally. On 1 April 2020, New Zealand’s 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics became subsidiaries of Te Pūkenga. From 1 Jan 2023 all learners will be enrolled at Te Pūkenga.

Media contact:

Te Pūkenga – Ash Muir, 021 907 538, ashleigh.muir@tepukenga.ac.nz