Minister must back regional vocational education with real support – Greens

The Government’s move to re-establish ten polytechnics fails to ensure the thriving, future-focussed vocational education sector Aotearoa deserves.

“This sector deserves more than just lip service. It’s time for the Minister to put her money where her mouth is and support thriving regional polytechs–not throw them to the wolves like she has so far,” says the Green Party’s tertiary spokesperson, Francisco Hernandez.

“The lack of support and ad hoc planning through the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga has already resulted in the loss of nearly 1 in 10 staff across the country. It’s been a shambles from the start.

“According to the TEU and TIASA, this has not only been a more disruptive process than amalgamating into Te Pūkenga but has led to a further hollowing out of our regional polytechnics.

“The cuts to courses, in-person training, and teaching staff necessary for the Government’s new model to add up are undermining vocational education for all learners.

“While we are relieved for institutions that have been desperately looking for certainty, today’s announcement leaves as many questions as it answers.

“Polytechs and the wider vocational education sector are the lifeblood of many communities and offer opportunities for learners to upskill and retrain.

“The time for symbolic gestures is over. Polytechs deserve a real plan and real support so that Aotearoa can have a thriving vocational education sector – not the cuts and incoherent omnishambles we’ve had so far,” says Francisco Hernandez.