The major challenge presented across the year which will impact on my work, is the integration into Te Pūkenga organisational structures and objectives across the year.
Te Pūkenga (The NZ Institute of Skills and Technology NZIST)
brought together the 16 institutes and polytechnics (ITPs) and 9 of the 11
industry training organisations, (ITOs) in Aotearoa NZ. The formation of Te
Pūkenga is but one of the outcomes of the Reform of Vocational Education(RoVE). Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) tasked with setting standards
through consultation with stakeholders across the industries they represent;
Regional Skills Leadership Groups (RSLGs) which focus on skill needs for each
region; Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) to drive innovation in VET
teaching; changes in the funding structure of VET, and simplification and alignment of qualifications, all begin to
consolidate.
Te Pūkenga itself is large by international standards, led along in Aotearoa NZ, supporting over 200,000 learners, with a workforce of
10,000 ++ and a charter that sets out aspirations to be met with regards to
meeting the precepts of Tirit o Waitangi, equitable access to VET and parity of
outcomes for all (and especially for Māori and Pacific peoples).
At present, my team are no longer part of People, Culture
and Well-being and await allocation to one of the academic divisions being
formed. This year will see most of the organisational structure being defined
and put in place. There will be much change as the regional structures are also
confirmed and the ways we work will include collaboration across our region
(presently most of Te Waipounamou – the South Island) and also across the Te
Pūkenga network. Amidst all of this, day to day work continues to support our
teachers to provide engaging and relevant learning to our learners.
My membership of Nga Ohu Whakahaere
o TePoari Akoranga o Te Pūkenga (the teaching and learning advisory group to
the academic board for Te Pukenga) provides a window into the workings of Te
Pūkenga and a means to contribute as the institute organises itself. 2 days of
work a month is tagged to this role. At the inaugural hui (meeting) in
December, the Ohu began the mahi (work) of confirming its terms of reference
with a focus on its roles and responsibilities.
On the research front, I hope to submit two journal
articles, both written last year and have them published this year. Most
conferences I would participate in, have shifted back to f2f interaction. This
presents a challenge as Te Pūkenga is not funding any work-related travel. I
plan to fall back on using the $$ attained from recent publications and the
marking of theses, to fund at least one conference in Australia, likely AVETRA
at the end of April in Melbourne.
It looks like another busy year, albeit with some uncertainties with regards to where my team fits into the wider organisational structure. Things should come clearer as the year progresses :)
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