Forum Highlights Value Of Skills

Forum Highlights Value Of Skills

12 April 2010

The 7th annual Vocational Education and Training Research Forum kicks off in Wellington this week with a sterling line up of presenters.

The two-day forum is organised by the Industry Training Federation and attracts around 200 participants.

Federation Executive Director Jeremy Baker said the forum catered for people who were interested in advances in workforce development through skills.

“They use the forum to gather inspiration and ideas to help them achieve the end goal of a skilled and productive New Zealand,” he said

“This year’s programme recognises the breadth of vocational education and training and covers practices in tertiary education providers as well as workplaces across a range of industries. There’s a focus on not only how to deliver training and education, but what workplaces need to do to ensure they capture the benefits of what is learnt.”

Keynote speakers include Professor Richard D Lakes from Georgia State University, USA, who will speak on linking workplace development and regional economic development, using as an example the state of Georgia’s model of regional industry clusters.

“Good research gives us a base to reference the need for, and benefits of, vocational education and training. It allows us to ‘make the case’ for individuals, firms, and the government to continue investing in skills, and ensure that when they do so their investment has benefits for people, the economy, and society,” Mr Baker said.

ENDS

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