A distinctive contribution to tertiary education consultation boosts PTEs

A government paper on the future of tertiary education that puts private training establishments (PTEs) 'outside the main arena' prompted some PTE representatives to meet with industry and government officials this week.

A Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) consultation paper features ideas about future roles for tertiary education organisations but contains little information on the possible role of PTEs, says Independent Tertiary Institutions (ITI) executive director Dave Guerin.

Mr Guerin said the paper presented a strong challenge to ITI as it put PTEs "outside the main arena", possibly more so than any government paper since the late 1980s.

"Other sectors are discussed in detail but the discussion of PTEs only includes text that is two years old, with no further development. Even the non-existent specialist colleges sector is given more colour," he said.

ITI hosted the seminar to inform its response to the paper and to kick-start discussion about PTEs.

"Rather than simply send in a well-argued submission to TEC, ITI members wanted to engage with other members of the tertiary education sector, government agencies and our industry and community partners to flesh out the role of the PTE sector. We feel that this is the best way for us to present our views and to have them tempered by the policies, practices and aspirations of other players," Mr Guerin said.

Four sessions, each with a short presentation and group discussions saw a range of views put forward that will be published shortly.

In a media statement, TEC acting chair Kaye Turner said New Zealand tertiary education had limited resources that required greater differentiation, specialisation and stronger links between organisations. The paper marked the start of consultation on how "a more focused, high quality, relevant and accessible tertiary education system" could be developed.

"Differentiation and specialisation are one way to ensure a diversity of education, research and capability so the system can better meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population," Ms Turner said.

Comment on The Distinctive Contributions of Tertiary Education Organisations paper closes on 20 August.

Information on The Distinctive Contributions of Tertiary Education Organisations is at this web page.

• ITI has 16 members. They are large, high-quality PTEs that enrolled 11 percent of the 81,924 students enrolled by EFTS-funded PTEs in 2002. ITI incorporates the Career Colleges' Association and the Association of Independent Degree-granting Institutions.