Otago Polytech joins Govt nine-day scheme

The Otago Polytechnic is one of five institutes and polytechnics offering "free or low-cost" training to employees who become part of the Government's nine-day working fortnight scheme, due to begin on Friday.

Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP) director Dave Guerin made the offer yesterday after he had asked the group's 20 members whether they would "put something on the table" for employers and employees.

"Training is not included in the Government's core package, but it has always been seen as part of the overall solution," he said in a statement.

ITPs would offer courses within existing funding, using programmes already developed and approved.

ITPs have limited flexibility to shift enrolments, "but this is an exceptional situation when everyone has to pitch in".

Otago Polytechnic CEO Phil Ker said in a statement the polytechnic wanted to be responsive to the needs of industry and the community.

It had eight regional learning centres able to provide flexible training support for employees involved in the scheme.

"It is also vital that we recognise people's skills and match these with qualifications to prepare for the future.

Otago Polytechnic is recognised nationally for this approach and we see it supporting industry and staff no matter what their situation is."

In a report to the polytechnic council, Mr Ker says the polytechnic will be "approaching directly" any Otago employers who opt for the scheme.

Prime Minister John Key said yesterday he was delighted to see the training organisations "taking a lead".

"Making training a compulsory part of the nine-day fortnight would have been extremely complex, so I am pleased to see these polytechnics and institutes of technology stepping up to the plate."

The other ITPs involved are Aoraki Polytechnic, Eastern Institute of Technology, The Open Polytechnic and the Wellington Institute of Technology.

More are expected to become involved.

An Otago spokesperson for the Tertiary Education Union said he had yet to see the detail of the polytechnic's involvement in the scheme but expected the union would be generally supportive.

On February 18, the polytechnic reported its best enrolment figures for seven or eight years.