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Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) has welcomed the Government’s announcement of Vocational Education Reforms, saying that it would accrue advantages to students in South Auckland.
Chief Executive Gus Gilmore said that a single nationwide institute will help to streamline apprenticeship system, remove duplication and preserve flexibility to innovate and meet the needs of their local community.
“MIT has been providing skills training for close to 50 years. We look forward to collaborating with New Zealand’s institutes to get the best results for learners and industry for the benefit of the country,” he said.
Regional Groups
Mr Gilmore said that the establishment of Regional Skills Leadership Groups will allow for industry, Centres of Vocational Excellence, Māori and the community in an area to respond to their own needs and economic demands.
Such a forum is the ideal venue for important conversations on creating a talent pipeline in health, housing and infrastructure in Auckland.
Integrated trades training will make it easier for students looking for careers in the trades to access and navigate an apprenticeship.
“These are vital issues for the country as a whole and we can’t respond to them in isolation. We are up for the conversation with other providers in Auckland on how we can do this most effectively for our region,” Mr Gilmore said.
Tech Park Facility
In 2020, MIT will open its Tech Park facility bringing all the institute’s trades and engineering schools under one roof for the first time.
Currently, the Institute is the largest provider of industry training for plumbing and polytechnic provider for electrical training in the country.
A programme refresh and investment in technology will accompany Tech Park’s opening, preparing students for the increasing use of new energy sources including solar and electric vehicles.
As New Zealand’s largest educator of Pasifika students at tertiary level, MIT has significant expertise in delivering the best results for this priority learner group.
Early Advisement Programme
Deputy Chief Executive (Pasifika) Peseta Sam Lotu-liga said that the Hokule’a Early Advisement Programme was piloted recently and that it dramatically improved completion and retention rates for Māori and Pasifika students enrolled in trades and engineering courses.
Completion at levels 1-4 increased 23% and retention rates also improved by 26% across the 11 programmes involved through increased pastoral care and identifying risk factors for disengagement, he said.
“These results are really promising and showed the benefits of providers working closely with their communities as well as having the freedom to innovate,” Mr Lotu-Iiga said.
The announcement also offers certainty for students and staff that they can continue to learn, teach, work and earn qualifications through MIT as the transition to the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology takes place.
About MIT
Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) aims to get people into great jobs. The Institute has been changing lives in South Auckland since 1970, and it is one of the largest providers of technical, vocational and professional education in New Zealand.
Every year 16,000 students choose to study at MIT at nine campuses within the greater Auckland region. For more information, visit www.manukau.ac.nz
MIT is the Sponsor of the ‘Business Excellence in International Trade with India’ Category of the Twelfth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards, entries for which close on August 31, 2019. For further information and to download forms, please visit www.inliba.com.
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Photo Caption:
- MIT Chief Executive Gus Gilmore
- MIT Deputy Chief Executive (Pasifika) Peseta Sam Lotu-liga (File Photo)
