Foundation-Focused Training Opportunities

Purpose

The Foundation-Focused Training Opportunities (FFTO) programme focuses on learners gaining a valuable set of foundation skills that enables them to move effectively into sustainable employment and/or higher levels of tertiary education.

Programmes must have a labour market focus and staircase into further training and/or education. This is reflected in training that:

• leads towards national qualifications
• meets local industry and employer requirements
• is mainly at levels 1 - 2 on the NZQF[1]
• is delivered full-time, with 30 hours a week or more tutor contact time for full-time learners, and 15 hours a week or more tutor contact time for part-time learners (note that “tutor contact time” does not include self-study); and
• includes “workplace learning”.

Workplace-learning offers learners the chance to practice and develop skills in a workplace. All learners must have workplace learning integrated into their programme of study.

FFTO programmes are free to eligible learners. Learners will continue to receive any benefits they are entitled to and be supported by the TEO[2] to attend the training as required (e.g. through provider-supplied travel).

TEOs must comply with Condition TOP031[3]. It sets out the required learning environment and health and safety specifics, as well as what learner and stakeholder information needs must be met.

• [1]

  New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF)

• [2]

  Tertiary education organisation (TEO)

• [3]

  Condition TOP031: Foundation-Focused Training Opportunities performance targets

  Tertiary education organisations (TEOs) receiving Foundation-Focused Training Opportunities (FFTO) funding must do all of the following:

  • Deliver training, as approved by the Tertiary Education Commission
  • Provide a learning environment that is responsive and flexible to meet the physical, cultural and learning needs of learners
  • Ensure that learners and other stakeholders are fully informed about all of the following:
    • The TEO's FFTO programme(s)
    • The TEO's disciplinary and complaints procedures
    • The TEO's policies relating to holding learners’ personal information and learners’ rights to review this information
  • Develop individual learning plans for learners
  • Arrange workplace learning opportunities for learners that are consistent with their learning plans 
  • Ensure the learner and their workplace learning provider enter into a written agreement recording the objectives and duration of any placement before it commences 
  • Ensure each learner is supplied with any tools, equipment, safety clothing, uniforms and tuition materials that may be required for the training, at no cost to the learner 
  • Pay any assessment and examination fees that might otherwise be charged to learners directly to the people and organisations carrying out the assessments and examinations.