Education Minister Chris Hipkins has agreed to a proposal from SIT and the Government will invest $1.8 million there to deliver primary industries training programmes both at Telford and through distance learning.
SIT is aiming to teach about 200 primary industry students in 2019 at the Telford campus and across New Zealand.
“This is a great outcome for Telford students who want to continue their studies and complete their qualifications, and for those students who were looking forward to starting at Telford this year. It’s also keeps investment and jobs in the local community,” Hipkins said.
“I’m very pleased that the majority of Telford staff – that’s around 20 equivalent fulltime staff – will be employed by SIT, with their existing rights and benefits maintained.
“The primary industries are a vital contributor to the New Zealand economy and top-class training and education in the sector is essential.
“The Government will be working over the coming weeks and months to reform vocational education and training so that it meets New Zealand’s future needs. We’ve chosen to continue to invest at the Telford site while the longer term change is being considered as SIT is a strong institution with solid financial backing. There is no similar proposal for Taratahi at this stage.”
“The agreement with SIT is for 12 months. On top of the $1.8 million, SIT will receive further Crown support for expenses if operations cease at Telford at the end of 2019.”
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said the takeover weas a great move that would deliver the certainty needed for students and staff.
“This is the first successful step in a complete revamp of agricultural education to support the primary sectors into the future,” O’Connor said.
“Today shows that working together is the quickest route to fixing the deep-seated problems within primary sector education to ensure we have a sustainable model for the future.
“Primary sector leaders have acknowledged agricultural education has been broken for a long time. It’s heartening to work with them, education providers and Education Minister Hipkins to fix it – and ensure responsive and sustainable education even in times of high employment.
“It’s clear the liquidation of Taratahi was symptomatic of a fragmented system with a plethora of providers that are turning out training not always matched with the skills needed for the future of the agrisector.
“This is why the Coalition Government has taken steps to secure the Taratahi Home Farm and is working with primary sector leaders to strengthen the skills pipeline so our students have clear pathways and can meet the needs of their industries into the future,” O’Connor said.
