MEDIA RELEASE
14 December 207
WelTec’s Investment Plan draws a significant TEC funding increase
Wellington’s Institute of Technology (WelTec) has welcomed its funding gain in today’s announcement by the Tertiary
Education Commission of $2.2 billion tertiary education sector investment decisions for 2008.
“We are very pleased that our long term academic position has been judged to be what the Wellington region and indeed
New Zealand needs”, says chief executive Linda Sissons.
“We have received an amount for 2008 which, in the ITP sector, is the third largest percentage growth over 2006 funding
and this is a tribute to the quality and relevance of our programmes and provision of services.”
Dr Sissons says WelTec is equally pleased to have received approval of its three-year Investment Plan which demonstrates
the government’s confidence in how WelTec delivers educational services under the Tertiary Education Strategy.
“WelTec plays an important role in delivering the New Professionals New Zealand needs for its economic transformation.
The acceptance of our Investment Plan which sets out how we intend to provide training is an endorsement of our approach
and understanding of how our courses contribute to meeting future economic needs.”
WelTec is launching a new degree in 2008 – a Bachelor in Creative Technologies. It has particular relevance to
Wellington’s creative industries and will be located in Wellington’s central business district, close to where most of
the creative industry companies are located. Other developments for 2008 include increased numbers of cadetships for the
IT, creative and civil engineering industries.
“From the government’s earlier decision to recapitalise our institution, we will be investing in a new student hub as
well as new high tech facilities for automotive training, digital media and art degrees.”
Dr Sissons says WelTec sees itself as a key part of the value chain in economic transformation with business, government
and the educational sector.
The funding increase of 21% for 2008 endorses WelTec’s commitment to industry and workplace relevance. Wellington and
Hutt Valley employers have recently given warm support to WelTec’s responsiveness and readiness to meet their needs.
“We have just completed our 2007 employer satisfaction survey and the results showed that 92% believed that WelTec’s
qualifications were relevant, while a stunning 91% of respondents feel our qualifications meet the future needs of their
industry.
“This together with the TEC’s acceptance of our future direction through our Investment Plan is such a vindication of
where we believe we must place an emphasis in the future.”
ENDS/