9. LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What recent announcements has she made about trades academies?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
Last week I announced the names of five further trades academies that will join the already announced Southern Cross Campus trades academy. These five will open their doors in 2011. I also announced that a further six proposals will be developed with a view to establishing trades academies in the future.
Trades academies are partnerships between schools, tertiary institutions, industry training organisations, and employers that will give students a head start in an industry-related career. The successful proposals show that these organisations have met this Government’s drive for innovative thinking to get more of our young people engaged in learning. In some, the lead partner is a school, like Northland College. One school, Catlins Area School, will involve virtual learning environments. Other trades academies, such as the one in the electorate of the member who asked the question, involve a tertiary-led partnership—in that case, between the Waikato Institute of Technology and Cambridge High School.
This Government had previously committed to supporting five trades academies this term. The announcement last week that we will establish six academies including the Southern Cross Campus academy, and look to establish a further six academies, shows that this Government does not just deliver on its promises, it over-delivers. We are committed to supporting different pathways to keep young New Zealanders engaged in learning.