3 October 2013
Tertiary Education Commission Congratulates CPIT on Crown Capital Support Approval
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) congratulates the Christchurch Polytechnic and Institute of Technology (CPIT) on
the recent Government approval of its business case for support, which will see the institution receive a capital
injection of $18.9 million, says TEC Chief Executive, Tim Fowler.
“With this capital injection, CPIT will be able to expand its trades training facilities and take an additional 400
Equivalent Full-Time Students (EFTS), or up to 1,000 student places, each year until 2018, which will have a significant
impact on the short-term need for skilled-workers in the Canterbury region.
“The model also means that CPIT will have the flexibility to repurpose the facilities down the line for other training
requiring similar spaces,” says Mr Fowler.
“As well as the trades facilities expansion, CPIT will implement a new delivery model which will improve on traditional
delivery methods which would not meet labour market needs in time.
“The new delivery model incorporates mobile and satellite capabilities so that assessment and teaching can be delivered
on the job and in satellite facilities, as well as utilising online learning,” says Mr Fowler.
“CPIT has worked closely with the TEC, and other government and local agencies, over the development of its business
case for support, as well as gaining significant input from industry and employers closely involved with the Canterbury
rebuild.
“The end result is a clever response to meet the Government’s aims of delivery a trained workforce, coupled with meeting
changing requirements from industry to achieve that delivery,” says Mr Fowler.
“CPIT is a financially sound and high-performing organisation, and I commend them on the work they have already done in
recovering from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.
“While student numbers did drop in 2011, CPIT has been responsive to the changing workforce needs in the last two years,
resulting in significant student growth in line with Government priorities of engineering and construction-led trades to
support the rebuild,” says Mr Fowler.
The TEC is continuing to work with the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University on the development of business
cases for support from these institutions which will go to Government once finalised over coming months.
ENDS