SIT leaders ask education minister Chris Hipkins to leave SIT alone

Friday, 5 April 2019

Southern Institute of Technology chief executive Penny Simmonds has asked the Government to leave SIT out of a proposed merger.

Southern Institute of Technology leaders have asked the Government to leave them alone.

SIT council chairperson Peter Heenan and chief executive Penny Simmonds sent a 19-page submission document to minister of education Chris Hipkins on Friday afternoon.

It outlined their thoughts on the vocational education system reform which would see New Zealand's 16 institutes of technology merged into one centralised entity.

The submission also highlighted what they believed should instead happen.

* Southern Institute of Technology officials to seek submission clarification

* Southland stands up for Southern Institute of Technology**

SIT urged the minister to pilot any change with the institutions at most risk and leave the 'high performing institutions' out of the merged entity, at least initially.

They believed it would mitigate the risk of destabilising the whole sector.

'The Southland community would strongly prefer SIT to be able to continue to operate as an independent legal entity.

'SIT's preferred position is to stay outside the amalgamation of 16 ITPs and operate independent of it, although purchase from it and contribute to it where applicable.'

The message through the submission was clear that they felt a centralised model would not work for Southland.

'It is our strong belief, based on experience, that the prosperity of the region depends on our competitiveness. We are not the same as other regions thus cannot be treated as such, the outcome of such an arrangement will be detrimental to the region's economy and ultimately the community.'

If changes were made, SIT largely supported a proposal by the Otago Polytechnic which would see a new entity get the benefits of centralisation, but allow providers to maintain their autonomy and individuality.

In SIT's proposal it suggested all individual provider' assets should remain with that establishment. SIT has $36m in cash reserves and also owns accommodation in Invercargill.

The SIT has supported some aspects of Hipkins' proposal, however, believed it was critical that a new funding system be introduced.

'It is unjust for any government to say there is a crisis in the VET sector when successive government's over the past 20 years have taken millions of dollars out of the sector.'

Meanwhile, Stand Up For SIT campaign organiser Carla Forbes said they had lodged more than 700 submissions on Friday from various parties on the reform of vocational education.

'We've sent in more than 700 so that should give the Minister plenty of reading over his weekend,' she said.

Given the sheer amount that were received, it was clear SIT is something Southland will fight for to the end, Forbes said.

'It's unbelievable how many people have thrown their support behind the campaign. I think everyone realises just how serious the situation is and they've also come together to make sure the Minister hears our voice loud and clear.'

It has been indicated the public can expect to hear about what decisions the Government makes in 'mid-2019'.