A lot of new information has been provided in recent weeks for TEOs to get to grips with and reflect in their plans. The UFS funding rates were released as part of the Budget on 19 May. Indicative allocations for 2023 were provided from 1 June and Supplementary Plan Guidance (SPG) was made available a week later – which, for the first time, was informed by advice from Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) and Regional Skills Leadership Groups (RSLGs).

We appreciate the professionalism and can-do attitude that so many of you in the sector have shown as we work together to implement important changes to Vocational Education and Training.

It will be good to see how our engagements, information and guidance have been used and are reflected in your investment plans, and we look forward to continuing to work with TEOs in the coming months as we determine final allocations.

Another key milestone for the RoVE programme was achieved when the TEC Board approved the HITO (hairdressing, barbering and beauty industries) transition plan at the end of June – this was the eleventh and last plan to be put to the board.  We are proud of the success of the TITO transition programme to date and want to thank all those involved it has been a collective effort from a lot of people across the sector to create a system that has industry’s needs in clear view, learners’ interests at front of mind, and the wellbeing of our communities at heart. We’re not finished yet, but things are going in the right direction. 

This week we have proactively published close to 40 policy papers prepared by the Ministry of Education and supported by the Tertiary Education Commission on the design of the Unified Funding System.

They include briefing notes, education reports and the final Cabinet paper. I am sure these will be of interest to many in the sector as the material demonstrates the breadth of research, analysis and critical thinking that has gone into the new funding system.

Keep safe, keep well, noho ora mai.

Ngā mihi,

Paul Delahunty