New vocational training approach will help address future Te Tai Tokerau skills shortages

A report commissioned by NorthTec to forecast the Northland job market until 2024 shows there will be 25,000 replacement and new jobs available by this date with over half of these in the medium to high skills category.
 
“The Government’s plans to fundamentally change the tertiary vocational training sector will help address these looming critical skills shortages throughout Te Tai Tokerau,” says NorthTec Acting Chief Executive Wayne Jackson.
 
The proposed changes include a single institute combining all polytechnics and industry training organisations into one entity, altering the funding system to reflect the differing needs of areas such as Te
Tai Tokerau with its large geographic area and lower population, and a new organisation to provide a stronger voice for Māori businesses and iwi, Te Taumata Aronui.
 
“With nearly half of our working population with no secondary qualifications, the report findings represent both a challenge and a great opportunity to build our skills to meet the needs of Northland employers,” he said. 
 
“The proposed changes to vocational training will mean we can help those Northlanders, whether in work or not, to obtain any prequalification necessary for them to enter tertiary vocational training – this includes foundation levels and pre-work training which can flow into apprenticeships and other higher tertiary vocational levels.”
 
The development of small units of learning, called micro-credentials, will allow Northlanders to learn in bite sized bits relevant to their needs, and, importantly for many, to learn when and where it suits them using new digital tools and, over their working life, build a qualification.
 
“The implications for people in low population areas in Northland are enormous because they will be able the stay in their community and, in the future, have access to an ever wider range of programmes.”
 
“All in all we are facing the future very pleased with the proposed changes and looking forward to delivering the vocational training to support better lives through education for Te Tai Tokerau.”