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Industry Training News Headlines of the latest articles are available below: The Tertiary Education Commission hits the refresh button for their website The Tertiary Education Commission launched a refreshed and updated website on 12 February 2007. UK research on the career paths of former apprentices Revised and reissued Registration Criteria for NQF Qualifications $9.7 million invested in tertiary education innovation New research supports industry training Now we know – we need more skills training Don’t just take our word for it... The Tertiary Education Commission hits the refresh button for their website Commission launched a refreshed and updated website on 12 February 2007. The decision to change came from a need to have web content management system that could more effectively deliver on the requirements of the TEC – time-sensitive turn-around of information and resources, and formatting of complex information. “We are keeping the new site as similar to the old site as possible, while simultaneously increasing usability through, for example, an improved search function,” says Chief Information Officer Greg Smith. “And site visitors who have important pages in their browser’s favourites folder will be automatically redirected to the equivalent page on the new site, so will not have to make any adjustments,” says Greg. The TEC website has not had any significant redevelopment since the organisation’s inception in 2003. Visitors will experience a cleaner and fresher interface, but it will still be recognisable as the old TEC site. “As well as a new look, the behind the scenes change for staff working on the maintenance and development of the website is very significant. The TEC IT team’s service delivery to the business, and thus to stakeholders, will be enhanced” says Greg. The 2007 Funding Information was transferred to the TEC’s new content management system in 2006. “There is an improvement in the management of the pages in Funding Information section of the TEC site, it is now the turn of the rest of the site to get refreshed!” says Greg. UK research on the career paths of former apprentices UK’s Learning and Skills Development Agency “making work-based learning work” series has explored whether the method of learning in apprenticeships has influenced the success of former apprentices. Career Paths of Former Apprentices finds that apprenticeship training can lead to many positive outcomes in terms of career progression. Former apprentices are more likely to stay with their employer, and employers tended to reward apprentices who stay on with internal promotion opportunities. Former apprentices were in positions across all levels of organisations, including in senior positions. Former apprentices are also more likely to be self employed than non apprentices. The main factor linking apprenticeship to later career success was the level of involvement of the employer in the design and delivery of training. Revised and reissued Registration Criteria for NQF Qualifications The New Zealand Qualifications Authority revised and reissued in November 2006 the Registration Criteria for National Qualifications Framework Qualifications following consultation with standard setters and other stakeholders. NZQA says “the criteria have been revised in order to provide a more coherent approach to qualification reviews”. From January 2007 SSBs are required to assign a review category to qualifications. The review categories are explained in Version 3 of the Registration Criteria for National Qualifications Framework Qualifications. Review categories for qualifications have been introduced to provide guidance about when a new (replacement) qualification should be registered instead of a new version. The new review categories involve an assessment of whether the review has resulted in a qualification that recognises a significantly different skill set. The review categories are similar to the review categories used for unit standards. A qualification that has not changed as a result of review will be registered as a new version. This is an 'A category' review. A qualification that recognises a similar skill set should be registered as a new version. This is a 'B category' review. B category review changes include:
A qualification that recognises a significantly different skill set should be registered as a new (replacement) qualification. This is a 'C category' review. C category review changes include:
A qualification that is no longer required by industry will be designated expiring as a result of the review. This is a 'D category' review. The Review category assigned must be included in the Review Report for each reviewed qualification. Please note that the evaluation and transition checklists have also been updated in line with version 3 of the registration criteria. Further information can be found in Section 11, Revision and Review of Qualifications, Link to document NZQA also took the opportunity to include the following in version 3 of the Registration Criteria:
For hard copies of the revised registration criteria please contact Framework Registration. $9.7 million invested in tertiary education innovation
Eleven new projects fostering innovation in tertiary education will get $9.7 million in the next financial year through the Innovation and Development Fund. The government is investing $9.7 million in 11 projects fostering innovation in tertiary education, Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Steering and Investment Group Manager Clare Ward announced today. "Innovation is key to enhancing the quality and relevance of tertiary education and ensuring it is a driver of New Zealand’s economic, social and cultural development," Clare Ward said. The new projects offered funding in the 2007/08 financial year are run by universities or institutes of technology and polytechnics. The projects include development of a Biomolecular Interaction Centre in Canterbury, implementation of e-Learning guidelines across the tertiary sector, and establishment of a National Energy Research Institute. "These projects are good examples of the kind of innovation happening in our tertiary sector, across a range of different fields," Clare Ward said. The new funding comes on top of the $30 million previously allocated to 34 projects through the TEC’s Innovation and Development Fund (IDF) over the past three years. This is the last round of funding under the IDF. From next year, the government is introducing a new way of investing in tertiary education that will include funding for innovation and capability development. For a list of successful applicants visit TEC website: view New research supports industry training The Industry Training Federation is pleased to announce the release of three new research reports to support industry training. The first report, based on a survey of employers and Industry Training Organisations (ITOs), outlines what literacy and numeracy skills and knowledge employers are looking for in school-leavers. Trends in Maori participation in training, the subject of the second report, provides an update to work carried out in 2005. “The 2006 update continues to show high levels of Maori involvement in industry training, with Maori making up 18% of total industry trainees,” said Jeremy Baker, Executive Director of the Industry Training Federation. An overview of the developing skills leadership role of ITOs is the subject of the third report. “It is important for us to take stock of ITOs’ leadership role in the context of New Zealand and international under standings of the impact of skill development on economic growth,” said Mr Baker. “This report provides a good description of the evolving activities of ITOs working with their industries to lift workplace performance and productivity.” “The Industry Training Federation is committed to linking decision making for tertiary education and training with a strong evidence base. This new research adds to a growing body of information produced by the industry training sector.” “Recently released data from the Ministry of Education shows more New Zealanders are studying in the workplace than ever before. There are now over 160,000 industry-based trainees, including 8,400 modern apprenticeships. Having a well-informed understanding of the role of industry training is crucial to achieving a skilled workforce for New Zealand,” Mr Baker said. The three new research reports can be accessed at www.itf.org.nz , or by contacting the Industry Training Federation (04) 499 8155. Now we know – we need more skills training
Census 2006 figures have revealed that we need to invest more in skills training, particularly at the diploma and certificate level”, said Jeremy Baker, Executive Director of the Industry Training Federation. “We already know there are significant skill shortages; the new figures make it plain that despite a lot of noise to the contrary, it is our investment at the certificate and diploma level that needs attention. “There is a lot of good news in the Census data. The number of people with diploma and certificate qualifications has risen by 34%, or over 180,000 people, over the last five years. Industry training, involving over 30,000 employers, together with programmes offered by tertiary providers, has clearly made a difference. “But the number of people with Bachelors degrees has risen at a much faster rate – by 51%. This is probably a good thing for those gaining those qualifications; but we need to make sure we are investing our scarce tertiary dollar where it is needed most. “The need to invest more in achievement at the diploma and certificate level is highlighted by the alarming figure that the number of people with no qualification has risen by 3% in the last 5 years. “Industry training and workplace learning are a key means of tackling this challenge. Employers, industry and the Government have made good progress over the last five years; but it is clear from these figures that we need to rebalance our investment. “The Industry Training Federation looks forward to working with the Minister for Tertiary Education to ensure that these challenges are tackled as part of the tertiary education reforms”, Mr. Baker said. Don’t just take our word for it... The original source of the information NZQA information: TEC information: ITF information: |
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