Vocational Education and Training New Zealand

PTE’s in New Zealand for International Students

Top educational institutes provide certificates, diplomas, and degrees in various industry-required subjects to students who have successfully acquired practical knowledge and skills to perform in different types of industries.Although there may be generic training, yet vocational studies provide a useful career path for many, especially international students.

Vocational Training is an Important Part of Tertiary Education Provided by New Zealand Institutes, Colleges, Polytechnics, and Universities.

There are 39 Industry Training Organizations (ITO) in New Zealand which provide industrial training to students with varied qualifications as per the needs of the industry. The ITOs provide Vocational Education and Training (VET) training as one of the main parts of tertiary education in the country.

Different government organizations, such as Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) work with the Ministry of Education to provide a structured curriculum in VET for interested students so that they can get suitable jobs after successfully completing the course.

Job-oriented education has increased considerably and is still rising. Today, international students who plan to settle in New Zealand take up courses on beauty therapy, nursing, dental, journalism, designing, artwork, and similar job-oriented programs to earn just after completing their studies in the country.

Role of Industry in VET Education

With the enactment of Industry Training Act, the role of the industry has become a key factor in shaping VET education in New Zealand. Training in New Zealand is as per the demands from the industry. So, ITOs must provide on-the-job training and assess students based on unit standards and qualifications corresponding to the particular industry. The assessment level is guided as per the requirements of the industry and as per specifications of National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Assessments: Key to Success

Vocational education, through application-oriented, is assessed with great precision by the ITOs. In fact, all NQF-registered courses are subjected to rules governed by the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). Through such monitoring, assessments meet standards as required by the industry and conform to a consistent level of competency. The moderated assessments allow students to perform as per expectations of the industry.

TVET Learning

Similar to ITOs, there are Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP) that offer degrees similar to qualifications from the universities. The curricula are on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) that allow upper secondary school students to specialize in vocational-technical courses. The institutes can offer English language training, vocational training, and community interest courses. The programs can have internships, on-the-job training, cooperative learning or integrated work experience. So, those looking for industry-based education with internship or training programs, here is your chance – take up VET courses at apt institutes in New Zealand. Contact our student adviser for details.

National Qualifications Framework

The National Qualifications Framework is a system of national qualifications available through course work in schools, polytechnics, colleges of education and wananga and work-based training programmes. It links 800 different qualifications across almost every industry.

Many of the courses international students undertake will be covered by the National Qualifications Framework. The Framework gives students the ability to plan what, where and how to learn and gives them a clear understanding of what skills and knowledge are needed to succeed in their chosen field.

The Framework provides nationally recognised, consistent standards and qualifications, regardless of where learning and assessment are undertaken.

The Framework has received strong endorsement and support from New Zealand’s education and training providers, employers and national industry and professional groups. It is also compatible with similar systems being established in the United Kingdom, Europe, South Africa, Australia and North America.

Quality Assurance and Grievance

New Zealand offers world class educational opportunities, and they have the awards to prove it! New Zealand tertiary education is first rate and comparatively low in cost when compared to other nations.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) monitors and helps develop national qualifications.

Tertiary and training institutions must comply to strict guidelines in order to be registered with the NZQA.

Never enrol with an institute that does not have NZQA registration.

The NZQA also helps with student fee protection and insists that establishments refund all fees if a course finishes before it is supposed to. New Zealand has a Code of Practice to ensure that international students are looked after while in the country.

For more information on that, see Pastoral Code of Practice. In the case of grievances, you should visit the international student office at your university. If they are unable to assist, you can contact NZQA via their website or free call 0800 QA HELP (0800 724 357) or try the International Education Appeal Authority, an organisation formed to enforce compliance with the Pastoral Code of Practice. You can call them on (09) 374 5481.