The annual Computing and IT Education in NZ (CITRENZ) is held at Ara across this week. Some of my educational developer colleagues have been attending some of the presentations which are of relevance to our work - technology and learning and education, learning analytics, integration of māutaranga Māori through ICT education etc.. This morning's keynote is with the CE of Toi Mai, one of the WDCs tasked with a range of objectives, as required through the Reform of VET (RoVE). This WDC represents a wide variety of industries including creative, technology, entertainment, hairdressing and barbering, makeup artistry, skincare, journalism, radio and television broadcasting, gambling, and sports and recreation - and eclectic mix of disciplines.
Here are notes taken at the presentation:
Jenni Pethig, General Manager for Qualifications and Assurance, began with an introduction on WDCs, their roles, rationale for establishment, and industries they support. Summarised briefly their strategies from 2022 to 2025 and commitment towards shaping the curriculum and to support change to keep up with industry needs. Shared their operational model. The main focus is to engage with industry so that qualifications being reviewed, re-developed etc. reflect present and future workforce needs. Key role also in qualification assurance and moderation.
Overviewed the qualifications Toi Mai oversees - 160 of them - Diplomas and Certificates to Level 7. In the process of reviewing them. Provided details of computing qualifications and identified those to be reviewed next year. Feedback on these qualifications are being sought. Detailed the process for qualification development and review. Discussed their 'design principles' - collaboration, currency, ensure equity with underserved priority groups.
Clarified differences between qualifications and programmes and provided definition of skill standards (about to be worked through NZQA processes to develop these). Skill standards are only mandatory if mandated by WDC. Provided details of NZQA move to national curricula, again these are developed by WDCs (where required) and it is optional for WDCs to undertake these. Encouraged submissions through the Toi Mai reviews and developments site.
For the larger picture, NZQA rules consultation ends 21/10 and there is the NZQA microcredentials update.
Went through the over roles of Toi Mai including quality assurance (moderation etc.) Reminded about the programme endorsement process as WDCs need to endorse all programmes before submission to NZQA. Toi Mai is cognisant of how Diploma programmes pathway into degrees and there is a need to ensure there is congruence. The role is to facilitate, not direct.
Geoff Simmons, General Manager for strategy, insights and impacts presents on how data has been used to inform Toi Mai direction. Technology and skills is very broad and there is a need to work with all the other WDCs to inform their strategy and also in aspects of digital literacy - as these have a discipline specificity. Now working on a major project which will be completed next year. DigitalNZ is a major 'partner'.
Covered the ICT sector workforce - current and future work skills and occupational needs. The need to diversify the workforce which is still mainly pakeha (white) and male. Growth is still very high across the sector and recent low immigration flow into NZ has exacerbated skills shortages. The ICT education pipeline comes from large numbers through Private providers (PTEs) - especially in the Certificate qualifications. Discussed pathways, diversity and work ready graduates. There needs to be a clear pathway from a qualification into work. Pathways influence diversity - how these are made more accessible is a key. VET does provide work-ready graduates - along with people who are changing careers to shift. Work-integrated learning degree is being worked on but has challenges, including employers unwilling to support learning while employees are still at work. ICT apprenticeships likely to start for Certificates and degree apprenticeship maybe in some specialisations e.g. software development. Interesting discussion followed with regards to the role of education, the challenges of developing and introducing a degree apprenticeship, increasing diversity across the industry.
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