Telford fighting for survival
The Telford division of Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre is once more fighting for survival.
Reeling from the news that Taratahi, the tertiary provider it had pinned its hopes on had gone into receivership on Wednesday, south Otago community leaders met at the Balclutha-based campus yesterday to discuss options for the future.
The fact the institute was in an almost identical position to two years ago when former tertiary provider Lincoln University cut ties with Telford, was ‘‘an unfair blow to staff right on Christmas’’, Clutha mayor Bryan Cadogan said.
It highlighted the fact the tertiary funding model was broken and that the Government and Telford needed to work together to fix it, he said.
He was optimistic that Telford would help find a solution and survive this latest threat from the North Islandbased Taratahi’s demise.
‘‘When it comes down to it, despite what has happened in recent years, Telford has always been a stand alone, viable organisation that has been forced to hold hands with other organisations that have brought about challenges. But I hope Telford will come out it and work out a way to go forward.’’
He suggested it had the ability to operate as a stand-alone organisation as it had been prior to 2011.
Telford Farm Board chairman Richard Farquhar said it was too soon to discuss whether this could be an option and that the board was working through the various processes with Taratahi and the receiver.
‘‘It’s all been quite a shock, and I feel for the staff right before Christmas. For us it’s business as usual, and we will be continuing with our obligations to provide training for young people.’’
Wairarapa-based Taratahi, which has 11 campuses across the country, was placed in interim liquidation by the High Court on Wednesday.
This will affect 250 jobs and 2850 students.
Taratahi board chairwoman Mavis Mullins said it was the most responsible decision to protect the current and future position of its staff, students, creditors and other key stakeholders.
‘‘It is very distressing for the staff and board of Taratahi which would have celebrated 100 years in 2019. Our main concerns are for our students, staff, animal welfare and our creditors and partners’’.
Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor said he was ‘‘incredibly saddened and disappointed’’ that Taratahi had reached a point where its operation was unsustainable.
‘‘I am fully committed to primary sector training. We will continue working with industry on a plan to deliver a new approach to agrisector training that meets the needs of the industry now and into the future.’’
Minister of Education Chris Hipkins said it was clear that the current model of vocational training for primary industry was broken. ‘‘We are looking at new models of primary industry training provision as part of the Vocational Education Training Review.’’