Millions to be spent on skills catch-up

KRISTIN MACFARLANE | 5th November 2007

Waiariki Institute of Technology has been given the go-ahead for a massive extension to raise the Central North Island's low level of qualifications.

Many tertiary institutes around New Zealand have been told to cut their student numbers but Waiariki has been given extra funding to help increase the region's qualifications.

Under the Tertiary Education Commission's new way of funding, education providers are no longer funded based on student numbers.

Instead, funding is geared towards quality of courses and what is relevant to communities - which is good news for Waiariki.

Waiariki chief executive Dr Pim Borren said Waiariki could grow for at least the next three years because the level of qualifications in Rotorua, Taupo, Tokoroa and Whakatane were among the lowest in the country.

"We're in catch up mode. We need to catch up to make our labour forces productive," Dr Borren said.



This year, Waiariki had been given nearly $20 million in funding. For the next two years that would increase to nearly $22.5 million and would jump to $24.5 million by 2010.

Dr Borren said that meant Waiariki was allowed to grow 10 per cent every year. This year Waiariki had 2360 full-time government-funded students. Next year, the institute could cater for up to 2574 students, 2831 the next and 3115 in 2010. The numbers did not include part-time or international students.



He was pleased Waiariki was allowed to grow because it meant the Government believed in the institute.

"It's really the Government saying to us, 'we've got confidence in what Waiariki's doing'."

Former media representative Clare Menzies, 41, is one of those taking up studies in Rotorua. She is studying towards a Diploma in Multi Media Web Design and has 20 years experience working in both print and radio advertising.

"This was purely the next stage in my career, moving into web design," she said.

She hopes to one day own her own advertising business.



"You get more recognition if you have a diploma or the tickets to do the job. "

Meanwhile, Dr Borren said the Government's increased funding helped Waiariki to plan for the next three years. Previously institutes were given funding based on a yearly figure. Now, the institute has some big plans to cater for the growth. Dr Borren said Taupo was growing faster than Rotorua and to support that, Waiariki would build a $10 million Taupo campus to cater for 1616 students by 2010. A site is expected to be finalised by May. It will take three years to build.

Also planned is the Forestry Industry Training School Initiative. Next year the institute plans to look into expanding the Waiariki Centre of Excellence in Forestry as a dedicated industry training school for the forest and wood manufacturing industry.

Dr Borren said the forest industry was New Zealand's third largest exporter and enhancing Waiariki's courses meant they would help industry and career development.

A Community Health Fitness and Recreation Centre is also planned to be completed within three years.