This episode explores the ongoing upheaval in New Zealand's polytechnic and vocational training sectors, marked by successive government reorganizations and their impacts on students and industries. Against the backdrop of ideological shifts, first with Labour's centralized mega-polytechnic Te Pūkenga, and now with the current government's plans to dismantle it, the sector faces talent bleed and discouragement from vocational training. The discussion highlights concerns that constant tweaking of the system prevents changes from embedding and yielding positive impacts, leading to program closures and community disruption. More significantly, the creative and digital industries, significant economic drivers, are being sidelined in the latest government announcement, potentially hindering future economic growth and productivity. For instance, the proposed model places creative tech and business skills under NZQA, lacking dedicated industry standards boards and workforce planning, raising fears of reverting to past practices. The episode concludes with concerns about the lack of a clear transition plan and the potential long-term regrets of hastily made changes, especially as they impact students seeking relevant skills for high-paying jobs in growing sectors.
