Information request
Request from: Office of the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skil s
Due Date: 17 January 2023
Request
Muka Tangata Workforce Development Council (WDC) has invited the Minister to meet with
Erin Simpson (Chair) and Jeremy Baker (Chief Executive) to discuss the work the WDC has
done over the last two years and its work programme for the coming year.
In addition to the invitation to meet, Muka Tangata has supplied the Minister with its Food
and Fibre Workforce Skil s Briefing (BIM).
Should the Minister consider this invitation (yes or no): Yes.
If yes, what priority (high, medium, low): Low.
Any matters that may make the meeting/invite problematic. Current issues/risks?
The content of the Muka Tangata BIM essentially “recommends a transformational new
approach to food and fibre workforce skil s development based on purchasing rather than
funding, accompanied by other changes to how government supports training for [our]
sector.” The “purchasing” would be done by an investment entity buying “specific training
places and programmes on behalf of industry.” Further details provided throughout the BIM
indicate that such an approach would require significant bespoke changes to current funding
policies and settings that apply to food and fibre provision.
Would it be more appropriate/possible for this request to be referred to another
Minister or officials (yes or no; if yes, why)?
No.
Is this relevant to current work in the Minister’s portfolio?
Yes. The six Ohu Ahumahi WDCs are part of the vocational tertiary education ecosystem.
The Ministry of Education is currently leading policy advice to the Minister on the future
shape of the vocational education and training system, including the roles and functions
currently performed by WDCs.
Additional Information
Muka Tangata (People, Food and Fibre) Workforce Development Council represents
industries including Dairy, Sheep and Beef, other livestock, Arable, Horticulture, Fishing,
Seafood Processing, Winemaking, Aquaculture, Livestock farming, Sports Turf
Management, Silviculture & Harvesting.
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