Media Release: Immediate
Date: 5 October, 2016
Adult educators to benefit from new Open Polytechnic qualifications
The launch of two new fee-free qualifications in adult education by Open Polytechnic, New Zealand’s leading provider of
online and distance learning, are aimed at helping educators lift the skills levels of adults in the workplaces and
communities they teach in.
Open Polytechnic is the first in New Zealand to be accredited by NZQA to offer both the New Zealand Certificate in Adult
Literacy and Numeracy Education (Vocational/Workplace) (Level 5) and the New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary
Teaching (Level 5).
The New Zealand Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Education (Vocational/Workplace) (Level 5) aims to help
upskill adult educators to improve the working lives of many New Zealanders who are challenged by the essential numeracy
and literacy skills needed to succeed in the modern workplace. The qualification has also been designed to suit the
needs of professional educators, including foundation level educators, who must meet the Tertiary Education Commission’s
requirement to hold an adult literacy and numeracy qualification.
The New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 5) qualification is aimed at working with adult
educators across a large range of sectors to build upon their existing knowledge and skills to help them become
proficient in their teaching practice and to promote equitable outcomes for adult learners.
All courses within both qualifications are delivered online, meaning professional educators can fit their studies around
their existing work commitments. Enrolments open every second month, so learners can complete either qualification at
their own pace.
“The role adult educators play in a wide range of sectors is essential to improving the lives of so many working adults.
Open Polytechnic is offering the qualifications fee-free because we want to reduce financial barriers for those carrying
out this important educator role in communities and workplaces all over New Zealand”, says Open Polytechnic Chief
Executive, Dr Caroline Seelig
For more information on the New Zealand Certificate in Adult Literacy & Numeracy Education (Vocational/Workplace) and the New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching, and terms and
conditions of the fee-free offer from Open Polytechnic, visit http://bit.ly/2cbQmt3.
About Open Polytechnic
Open Polytechnic is New Zealand’s specialist provider of open and distance learning, enrolling over 31,000 mainly
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