SIT chief executive Penny Simmonds hopeful of positive announcement
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Just what impact the Reform of Vocational Education will have on the Southern Institute of Technology will be revealed on Thursday.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins will announce changes to vocational education and training at noon in Wellington.
Shortly before that, management from the various polytechnics and institutes will be informed of the changes.
In February, Hipkins rolled out a proposal which would see New Zealand's 16 institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) replaced by one mega polytech.
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The proposal was to merge New Zealand's ITPs into one single entity through the creation of a New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology, a central, over-arching polytechnic, supported by regional campuses.
The recommendation was in response to the poor financial state of many of the polytechnics.
Through the consultation period the proposal was met by strong opposition from supporters of the SIT given its financial stability.
The concerns centred around SIT potentially losing its autonomy and also what it would mean for the $36 million in cash reserves which SIT had built up, as well as its other assets, including accommodation.
A day out from Hipkins' announcement SIT chief executive Penny Simmonds said she was hopeful the concerns had been taken on board and it would be a positive outcome for SIT and Southland in general.
Simmonds said she has had multiple meetings with New Zealand First and Greens MPs who are part of the coalition Government.
She was pleased with their response.
'I am hopeful that the issues we have raised have been listened to. The feedback that we had from the New Zealand First and Greens MPs was that they understood our concerns,' she said.
Clutha Southland-based New Zealand First MP Mark Patterson has been advocating that the SIT be looked after as part of the Reform of Vocational Education.
He told Stuff, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' when asked of his views of SIT and its future.
Simmonds also met with New Zealand First MP and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones, and the Greens' education spokesperson Clohe Swarbrick during their recent visits to Invercargill.