ITPs Right Behind Youth Guarantee Package

Media Release

3 August 2009
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of New Zealand

ITPs Right Behind Youth Guarantee Package

Institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) are right behind the new Youth Guarantee package, announced yesterday by the Government, targeted at 16 and 17 year olds who have left school wanting vocational education.

“ITPs are the specialist provider for this age group, enrolling 60% of all tertiary education students aged under 18 in 2008. Our members are looking forward to enrolling more young people throughout New Zealand from January 2010 onwards,” said Dave Guerin, Executive Director of ITP New Zealand.

“The government is expecting 2,000 places to be funded from next January, and ITPs are gearing up to enrol a high proportion of them. We are experienced at supporting the transition from school to tertiary education.”

“The programme’s focus on trades, agriculture, business and engineering courses perfectly fits ITPs’ course portfolios. ITPs also offer literacy and numeracy support, and pastoral care for students.”

Ministry of Education figures show that there were 17,655 tertiary education students aged under 18 in 2008, with 10,518 enrolled in ITPs (60%). 32% were enrolled in PTEs, 8% were enrolled in universities and 4% in wananga (some students enrolled in more than one sector, so percentages add to more than 100%)

“We also appreciate the Government’s announcement that $8m of ITP funds underspent in 2008 is being transferred to 2010. This was expected by the sector, but it is great to see confirmation. The extra 700 places created will offset the unfunded equivalent full-time students (EFTS) that ITPs are carrying in 2009, that will probably be repeated in 2010. We expect that ITPs will carry over 2,000 unfunded EFTS in 2009, so any extra places will help.”

ITPs’ funding is capped, but they are allowed to take 3% more students. Most ITPs are likely to reach or exceed that level in 2009 due to very high student demand.

ITP New Zealand is the national association for New Zealand’s 20 institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs). Its members provide high-quality, relevant and innovative vocational and applied research and education to over 200,000 New Zealanders every year.

ENDS

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