Wednesday, November 10, 2021

APAC TVET forum - China-NZ Higher vocational education summit - DAY 2

 Today the session is MCed by Will Tregidga from NMIT and  begins with opening addressed from Dr. Leon Fourie - CE for Toi Ohomai and Chair of the International working group Te Pūkenga and Li Yunmei, Vice President of Tianjin Light Industry Vocational Technical College. Leon introduced Te Pūkenga and its draft international education strategy for 2023-2028. Went thorugh the rationale for the formation of Te Pūkenga and introduced the location of the 16 ITPs and the 11 ITOs now merging into Te Pūkenga. Key areas of provision are in engineering (11%), society and culture (12%), architecutre and building (11%), management and commerce (17%), health (16%). Goals for the new International education strategy include preparing global learners, adding social, cultural and economic to NZ, employers, internationally preferred by partnerhsips and to give expression to Te Tiriti excellence framework. Te Pūkenga able to leverage off size and scale, recognised as future focused leader in work-based skills education and training both in flexible delivery and sustainable practice; act as one with unified systems, practices and behaviours to create highly functional network, developing flexible mixed delivery model, greater mobility for learners, new targeted products and servers and greater diversity of experiences for domestic and international learners. Outlined the way forward for moving forward with regards to collaboration agreements; positive outcomes and contact points.Current agreements continue with new agreements will also be pursued. Sino-NZ model programme continues.)ff-shore campuses continue and increased. Transition wil take 1 - 5 years. 

Li Yunmei conveyed thanks to NZ and Te Pūkenga and reiterated support for collaboration and cooperation. Shared the way forward for Tianjin with internationalisation and cooperation (10 models) - their evolution and progress. Detailed many examples to provide for authentic VET learning across many technical/specialist jobs. 

Thematic sessions follow:

Meeting Employer needs

Warwick Quinn, Te Pūkenga's DCE for employer journeys. Summarised the apprenticeship model for workplace learning with its many advantages. Overviewed the NZ experience with apprenticeships. At one time the post-school destination of choice but now seem to be of lower status. However, the vocational pathway is just as complex/challenging etc. leading to sustainable careers. In NZ, BERL research shows people completing trades qualification and people completing a bachelor/above reach parity when they reach their early 40s. Employers, communities and learners aim for the right skills, place, time and numbers. All three need to play their part - Te Pūkenga to support strong VET system, employers to contribute, apprentices to learn. Important that employers is part of the teaching team as well and support required for them to provide effective training and learning - to help novices become experts. Macro level industry (set qualifications and national requirements) inform the meso level at the employer/business level leading to effective learning for apprentices (micro level).  

Han Zhen, Vice President for Rizhao Polytechnic (Shandong) shared their employer-orientated approach for joint development of college and enterprise. Provided an overview of the polytechnic (10 teaching departments across disciplines similar to polytechs in NZ) and their achievements in curriculum development, research, online learning etc. Provided examples of how the insitute and industry provide learning opportunities across many industries. Each works slightly differently in how consultation and cooperation is effected to fit in with the industry context, employer needs and logistics of the insitutional programme.

Workbased learning

Kaarin Gaukrodger, Director of Workbased Learning, Te Pūkenga. Shared how WIL in NZ works. Began with the qualifications on the NZ Qualifications framework. Used Connexis examples. WIL either on-job, but also may be campus based and/or online. Programmes developed with employers and technical experts. Connexis assessors work as contractors or are in-house. National field team (customer service account managers) are multi-industry and support and guide learners with enrolments, learner goal setting and have check-ins with learners every 12 weeks. Large organisations have key account manages so there is consistency nationally. Detailed support for international learners - from the Pacific and skilled migrants (usually come in a cohort to complete 'equivalency' training). Provided examples of career and qualification progressions for civil, water, energy and telco. Shared initiatives to increase student knowledge of infrastructure career opporunities including Gateway programmes with schools, Girls with Hi-Vis/Ultimit ambassador to increase female participation

Zheng Yi, Vice President of Jiangsu Agri-animal husbandry vocational college. Began with overview of the college and the discipline areas it provides VET in. Detailed the many organisatins the college works with and the process for collaboration and cooperation. Described various programmes and ways WIL organised. Also the many ways learning support including online especially due to pandemic.

A virtual vineyard experience with Belinda Jackson (Marketing) and Marcus Wright (wine maker) from Lawson's Dry Hill Vineyard in Marlborough, provides an example of how WIL is enacted  in NZ. Q & A anchors the presentation with discussion on quality systems and their connection to training requirements. 




No comments: