Rangatahi will suffer under plan to close regional careers offices - PSA

Source: PSA

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Young people in the regions, particularly Maori and Pasefika, could miss out on vital careers advice if the Tertiary Education Commission closes offices in the regions, the PSA says.

The Commission, which took over the functions of Careers New Zealand last year, has announced proposals to centralise its functions to Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Whangarei.

This means offices in Hamilton, Tauranga, Napier, Palmerston North, Nelson, and Dunedin would close, with potential job losses. This may mean more services are delivered online.

Members are particularly concerned that the TEC’s proposed organisational change will result in a substantial loss of careers and tertiary education knowledge, skills and expertise.

"We believe young people and the regions will miss out if these proposed changes go ahead," PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk says.

"The Commission says it wants to be the definitive source of careers information in Aotearoa New Zealand, but these plans will see a loss of expertise in that area.

The PSA understands that the proposed structure does not have specific Maori- or Pasefika-related roles.

"Getting rid of specific Maori- and Pasefika-related positions could also harm the opportunity for rangatahi to get good advice about their career and education options - which would be a disaster."

The PSA plans to make submissions as part of the change process, but it is urging the government to take leadership.

"The Labour government has pledged to strengthen our regional economies by basing more public services in our smaller cities, and working more collaboratively with communities and different stakeholders.

"These proposals could do the exact opposite.

"We are calling on the government to make good on its promises - and invest in our young people."

ENDS

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