The vocational education and training sector is abuzz with activity and most of the elements of the reformed system are now in place.  One of the major reform activities, the transfer of the arranging training functions of the Transitional Industry Training Organisations (TITOs) to new providers, is in its final stages. 

Workforce Development Councils, meanwhile, are hitting top gear.  Community, Health, Education, and Social Services WDC Toitū te Waiora, for example, is engaging key partners in concentrated work to develop a vocational centre of excellence in Hauora Māori/ Rural Health in Te Tai Tokerau, bringing much needed impulse and stability to the talent pipeline in the Far North.  A second example of the networking power of WDCs is an innovative cross-industry initiative from the energy and water sectors – we have both these stories below.

As re-opened borders again allow for a higher influx of non-domestic students, the Tertiary Education Commission is on track to clarify the agreed exemptions process for funding of non-domestic learners. Our article has all the details and we encourage you to keep an eye out later this month when we release our operational process.

We’ve had a great response to the 2023 PTE Strategic Fund contestable round – the deadline was 5pm last Friday. We’ve had more than 70 applications from PTEs for funding, representing a wide range of strategic and innovative proposals. The UFS team is already hard at work reviewing and assessing the proposals, with funding decisions expected to be communicated by 31 October.

Thank you all for your important contribution to vocational education and training in these exciting times. Keep safe, keep well, noho ora mai.

Ngā mihi,
Paul Delahunty