Forum focuses on work and education

Forum focuses on work and education

Improving the quality of work-related education is the aim of New Zealand’s largest forum on vocational, professional, and skills-focused education - opening in Wellington today.

The two-day event kicks off with Rosalie Staggard of Innovation and Business Skills Australia discussing the fundamental skills and knowledge capabilities that people need to be good teachers in areas such as trades, professions, and work-integrated learning. This includes showcasing an online assessment tool that helps people think about and rate their own capabilities.

The New Zealand Vocational Education and Training Research Forum, now in its 11th year, brings together teaching staff, researchers, government officials, and consultants to present evidence on how teaching practices in the VET sector can be improved. Ako Aotearoa - The National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence, is co-hosting the event this year with the Industry Training Federation.

The Centre’s Director, Peter Coolbear comments, “This part of our education system is absolutely critical for New Zealand’s economic and social success. Whether we’re talking about trades, professions like teaching or health, or using work experience to complement ‘classroom’ education, the VET sector undeprins productivity and wellbeing at both national and regional levels.”

The forum programme includes topics such as: online learning, international data on skills, analysing demand for training, and literacy. This year has a particular emphasis on supporting Māori and Pasifika into careers, with several sessions focusing on programmes that have successfully engaged learners in apprenticeships and other pathways.

To coincide with the forum, Ako Aotearoa launches its latest report: “Learning in and for Work” – a publication that brings together findings from over 30 New Zealand projects funded by Ako Aotearoa. The report aims to identify lessons for teachers, education organisations, students, and businesses, as well as considerations for future work.

The report will be available from 4pm Monday 20th October at: www.akoaotearoa.ac.nz/learninginandforwork

Ako Aotearoa is New Zealand’s National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence. Funded by the Tertiary Education Commission, it funds projects on high quality teaching practices, provides professional development, runs the national Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards, and leads debate on key issues for tertiary education in New Zealand.

The Industry Training Federation is the representative body for New Zealand’s Industry Training Organisations, which are statutory bodies charged with establishing qualifications and arranging training for industries in New Zealand.

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