We have had a busy start to 2024, with the Government announcing its intention late last year to disestablish Te Pūkenga in favour of regional polytechnics, working within the local community and allowing for increased community decision-making.
As the new proposed structure is determined, our dual mission remains clear. We will listen to our trades and industries, and will be a vocal and important advocate for them in discussions about the future structure of industry training in this country, to ensure your voice is heard and that national consistency of apprenticeship training is retained.
Industry voice has been, and will continue to be, key for the success of quality industry training and I look forward to talking to many of you in the coming months about your needs and expectations for the future.
Through 2024, against this backdrop of change in industry training, EarnLearn is continuing to take enrolments and deliver training. We will continue to seek out opportunities to add value in terms of the support and programmes available to learners – and the supervisors critical to their success.
There continues to be a critical need for more skilled and qualified workers across all our trades. Improving the visibility of trade roles, demonstrating the career potential they offer, and promoting pathways into those industries, remain key tools in addressing those shortages.
Our focus remains, working with our employers to grow the capability of individuals and infrastructure companies, through nationally recognised qualifications, to support the required growth in infrastructure.
