Open Polytechnic part of new trades training consortium

Friday, 20 June 2014, 5:12 pm
Press Release: Open Polytechnic

Open Polytechnic

Media Release: immediate

Date: 20 June 2014

Open Polytechnic proud to be part of new trades training consortium

A new Māori and Pasifika trades training consortium is an innovative blend of distance learning, community support, industry partners and employers says Open Polytechnic Chief Executive Dr Caroline Seelig.

The Southern Initiative Infrastructure Consortium Māori and Pasifika Trades Training is a south Auckland based initiative which will enable more young Māori and Pasifika to become qualified in trades associated with the infrastructure industry.

The initiative was announced today (20 June) by Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce, and Associate Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Tariana Turia.

The Southern Initiative Infrastructure Consortium Māori and Pasifika Trades Training is made up of Auckland Council, major infrastructure employers in the Auckland region, iwi and community organisations, Industry Training Organisations and tertiary education providers including the Open Polytechnic.

The Open Polytechnic is New Zealand’s specialist distance learning provider, and one of the country’s largest educators of the current workforce.

Dr Seelig says the Open Polytechnic is excited to be part of the consortium.

“In this consortium our flexible distance learning delivery is supported by community providers and industry and is well suited to young people wanting to enter the trades. They will gain practical experience in a supported environment and be mentored while learning the theory through the Open Polytechnic”, says Dr Seelig.

“The range of education expertise, employment opportunities and learner support brought together through this consortium will open up a range of exciting opportunities for Māori and Pasifika in the 18-34 year age group who are interested in a career in infrastructure and associated trades.”

The contract for the Southern Initiative Infrastructure Consortium Māori and Pasifika Trades Training is for a three year period and is being jointly funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Tertiary Education Commission.

Ends

About Open Polytechnic

The Open Polytechnic is New Zealand’s specialist provider of open and distance learning, enrolling over 34,000 part-time students per year. The majority of students are adult learners combining work and study, making the Open Polytechnic one of New Zealand’s major educators of people in the workforce.

Website: www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz

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