Protocol signed with private trainers organisation
The government is to sign a protocol with the New Zealand Association of Private Education Providers acknowledging its
role in the private training sector.
Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey spoke to the Association’s annual conference in
Wellington. Major private training establishments (PTEs) and all public institutions are currently developing charters
with the government detailing the niche they will fill in the new tertiary education system and will next year negotiate
profiles with the Tertiary Education Commission which set out which of their courses will receive taxpayer subsidies.
Steve Maharey said the PTE sector had an assured place in the new tertiary education system complementing New Zealand’s
35 public tertiary institutions.
“The PTE sector has established an important niche for itself which is entirely consistent with the goals of the
Tertiary Education Strategy to improve the quality of teaching and research and to better connect both with New
Zealand’s national development goals.
“Establishing effective partnerships between tertiary education organisations, industry, the community, the Tertiary
Education Commission and the government is crucial to bring about the kind of change the post-school education system is
being called on to achieve.
“The protocol developed between NZAPEP and the government recognises its role as a leading PTE representative
organisation and signals the intent of both parties to work cooperatively together. The government would welcome
approaches by other tertiary organisations seeking to develop similar agreements.
“Ultimately, the success of the reform process will rely on good quality dialogue and a collaborative approach to the
sharing of information and expertise,” Steve Maharey said.