7. ALLAN PEACHEY (National—Tāmaki) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
How many trades academies will open in 2011?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
National campaigned on increasing the availability of trades training, and we said we would establish at least five trades academies. I am delighted to tell the House that nine trades academies will open in this country in 2011, providing trades and technology programmes for over 800 secondary school students, and a further three will open in 2012. As well as providing more career choices for students, with no fees, the academies will contribute to growing our economy and productivity as young people with better skills enter the labour market.
Trades academies are a collaboration between schools, tertiary organisations, and industries, funded from existing funding streams. Students will be funded for the time they attend the school and for the time they attend the tertiary organisation. This includes a tertiary top-up fee to reflect no fees for participating students. Funding will also be provided for the coordination and administration of the programme.
Paul QuinnWhat reports has she seen about the establishment of the Wellington Trades Academy, based at WelTec?
I have seen a statement from the chief executive of WelTec, Dr Linda Sissons, who said: “The Trades Academy at WelTec will develop a strong trades and technology base for Wellington industry. … Often times there are amazing work opportunities for young people, and the Wellington Trades Academy will provide a great pathway for young people into industry.” I have also seen a report from a hotel manager here in Wellington who said that the Wellington Trades Academy based at WelTec is just what the region needs.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
In light of her praise of the academies, will she now undertake to approve the 104 organisations she rejected as academies as an attempt to take steps towards matching the 24,000 places taken up as Modern Apprenticeships between 2003 and 2008?
This Government was delighted to have received 117-odd expressions of interest in our trades academies. We have approved 12, and we have legislation before the House at the moment that will enable the rest of those 117 to be implemented, plus the many other schools and tertiary institutions around the country that are delighted that this Government has done something to address the issue of trades training for young people, rather than being like the previous Government that just wanted to keep them at school until they were 18.