PTE Strategic Priorities Fund Allocations for 2003
The results of the Private Training Establishment (PTE) Strategic Priorities Fund were announced by Ann Clark, General
Manager - Designate, Tertiary Education Commision today.
“The broad purpose of the PTE Strategic Priorities Fund is to give PTEs the opportunity to focus on new provision and
growth in EFTS funding in areas of strategic priority that are aligned to the Government’s Tertiary Education Strategy”
said Ms Clark.
The PTE Strategic Priorities Fund is a pool of funding exclusively for PTEs that contains approximately $17 million for
2003. Allocations from the fund give priority to high quality proposals aligned with the objectives of the Tertiary
Education Strategy and the Statement of Tertiary Education Priorities.
“When the availability of the PTE Strategic Priorities Fund was announced in the 2002 Budget, we anticipated high
numbers of applicants, so set about developing a process for distributing the fund fairly and strategically. This
included developing selection criteria collaboratively with the PTE sector, including the PTE Consultative Group and
other PTE representative groups, inviting their input and recommendations.”
A total of 475 proposals from 130 PTEs totalling over $62.6 million were received and analysed by representatives from
the Ministry of Education, Skill New Zealand and Transition Tertiary Education Commission. An assessment panel made up
of senior staff from all three agencies and senior Mäori and Pasifika advisors then made recommendations to the
Secretary of Education. A report from Audit New Zealand concluded that the process was consistent with their
expectations of good practice.
“Today we will be sending notices of allocation to 48 PTEs worth approximately $16.8 million, or 2,782 EFTS, for student
enrolements in 121 qualifications for the 2003 academic year” said Ms Clark. “By taking a more strategic and
collaborative approach, we can focus our resources into areas of strategic need and improve the effectiveness of public
funding within tertiary education”.
“If New Zealand is to participate successfully in the world economy, we must raise the skill levels of all New
Zealanders. To do this we must commit our resources to support a tertiary education system that is strategicly focussed
and strongly aligned to national goals.”