Skip to content

Home > Key Projects > Decent Work > Agencies > Tertiary Education Commission

Department of Labour logo for printing
Decent work logo.

Decent Work New Zealand
Towards Decent Work - Charting our progress

DECENT WORK – Tertiary Education Commission

ACTIVITIES

DESCRIPTION

LEAD AGENCY

CSF ALLOCATION

Vocational Education and Training (VET) in schools – the Gateway Schools programme

The Gateway Schools programme [external link] provides senior students with a range of structured learning opportunities in workplaces. Through building links between schools and businesses, students achieve credits in the workplace, which contribute to recognised qualifications on the New Zealand National Qualifications Framework.

Tertiary Education Commission

5, 6, 11, 18

Vocational Education and Training (VET) in schools – the Youth Apprenticeships Pilot

The Youth Apprenticeships Pilot [external link] is a one year pilot operating in 10 schools nationwide in 2008. The pilot is a joint agency initiative involving the Ministry of Education, the Tertiary Education Commission and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. The Youth Apprenticeships Pilot is working with Gateway Schools programme to develop industry related pathways through secondary schooling to enhance opportunities for school students.

Tertiary Education Commission, Ministry of Education, and New Zealand Qualifications Authority

5, 6, 11, 18

Foundation learning programmes for adults

In November 2007 Cabinet agreed to initiate an “upskilling the workforce” strategy [external link] that builds on the adult literacy strategy, focussed on literacy, language and numeracy skills for New Zealand workplaces.  This strategy aims to build the amount of literacy, language and numeracy provisions being undertaken, and enhance the capability of both tertiary education organisations and industry to build the skills of the workforce.

Tertiary Education Commission

5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 18

Industry Training for people in employment

Industry training [external link] facilitates structured training arrangements for employees, both on-job and off-job, linked to recognised qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework.

Tertiary Education Commission

5, 6, 11, 14, 15, 18

Modern Apprenticeships programme

The Modern Apprenticeships programme [external link] provides work-based education and training for young people and others wishing to start a new career.  Modern Apprenticeships has a significant support function for participants, managed by a Modern Apprenticeships Co-ordinator.

Tertiary Education Commission

5, 6, 11, 14, 18

Skill New Zealand Tripartite Forum

An agreement between the Government, Business NZ and the NZCTU, aiming to create greater awareness of industry training and workplace learning and the skills needs of industry.  In 2007, the government and tripartite partners agreed to develop a unified Skills Strategy for New Zealand.  The aim of the Skills Strategy is to build a clear consensus on the skill needs of New Zealand moving forward and what the contributions of the various partners are to ensure the skills needs are met.

Tertiary Education Commission

5, 6, 14, 15, 18 ,19, 21

Training for unemployed people over 18 with low qualifications

Training Opportunities [external link] offers unemployed people over 18 with low qualifications the chance to gain valuable skills that will help them to find a job.

Tertiary Education Commission

5, 6, 8, 9, 18

Training for young people under 18 with low qualifications

Youth Training [external link] offers young people under 18 with low qualifications the chance to gain valuable skills that will help them to get a job.

Tertiary Education Commission

5, 6, 8, 9, 18

Vocational training for young Maori and Pacific people

Skill Enhancement offers vocational training for young Maori (Rangatahi Maia [external link]) and Pacific (Tupulaga Le Lumana'i [external link]) people. The combination of programmes approved offers a variety in terms of delivery style, learning environment, occupations, industries and locations. In 2006, more than 82% of trainees moved onto further education or employment within two months of exiting the programme.  Whereas Nga Kaiarataki Pathfinders aims to help school leavers who are disadvantaged by rural isolation or by issues associated with low socioeconomic background to continue their education.

Tertiary Education Commission

  1.  

5, 6 ,8 ,9, 11, 18

DECENT WORK CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

  1. Comprehensive and appropriate legislative framework, including minimum employment code.  
  2. Government mandates and supports appropriate social protections such as accident compensation, health, income support and basic education. 
  3. Standards are enforceable, institutionally supported, and politically accepted.
  4. New Zealand signs up to and complies with international instruments.
  5. Education equips people with skills they can transfer to the workplace, and opportunities exist for lifelong learning and targeted skill enhancement. 
  6. The capacity and capability of all sectors and participants is built and supported.
  7. There is investment in appropriate technology and other capital items.
  8. There is high participation in the workforce. 
  9. Equal opportunity is expected and delivered.
  10. More quality jobs are created.
  11. People have real choices about work opportunities. 
  12. Constructive employment relationships exist.
  13. Employers and unions understand the value of constructive relationships through engagement and partnership.
  14. Workplaces are productive. 
  15. Workplaces are safe and healthy. 
  16. People are satisfied with their working lives because the organisation of their work supports the need to balance work requirements with societal and family responsibilities.
  17. Strategic and other labour market planning is based on sound knowledge about the labour market.
  18. Relevant information is communicated and accessible to those who will benefit from it.
  19. Through strong, representative, and accountable social partners, tripartism and social dialogue are an integral part of “the system”.
  20. The contribution of engagement with and between all sectors and participants at all levels is valued and promoted. 
  21. The process for social dialogue and engagement at all levels have real authority and impact.
  22. New Zealand engages internationally, whether through tripartite, government, or private processes or initiatives.