How to choose the best tertiary training for you
Tertiary study is any form of learning after secondary school. In NZ, you can gain a tertiary qualification via fulltime or parttime study, distance learning and workplace training. Depending on your age, location, financial situation and employment status, you have the option to study via universities, polytechnics, private training establishments (PTEs), wānanga, youth programmes, Adult and Community Education (ACE) and your workplace.
Consumer.org compared the job and salary prospects of university and tech graduates, concluding:
Opt for a degree over a diploma for long-term financial benefits.
Ignore marketing hype. Comparing universities, there’s no clear winner across every subject area at bachelor’s degree level.
Check institutions’ course and qualification completion rates before enrolling, and search for job outcomes and salary prospects for different subjects and providers at the MOE website.
UNIVERSITIES
Depending on the subject, a bachelor degree takes three to fours years. Degrees are general, such as arts or science, or vocational like veterinary. Degrees in a particular subject potentially lead to employment in a specific industry. The downside is the cost, because of student loans. The good news for bachelor graduates is bright job prospects.
POLYTECHNICS
Offer certificates, diplomas, degrees and post-graduate courses. There are multiple polytechnics, institutes of technology and wānanga in NZ. Because ‘‘techs’’ originally catered for trades, they have a focus on practical hands-on courses and industry placements are a big part. Gives real-world experience while studying, and helps build valuable networks that enhance chances of employment.
According to the Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in the Bay of Plenty, techs are ideal for those seeking flexible study options, including online study. This means some students can work fulltime while upskilling, particularly those wanting to enhance management skills and knowledge. In some areas (such as automotive, electrical or carpentry) students are employed as apprentices and earn while they learn.’’
PTES
NZ has hundreds of Private Training Establishments that provide job pathways into industries like carpentry, hairdressing, engineering, business, technology, hospitality and tourism. All qualifications, from certificate to post-graduate, focus on achieving real job outcomes. Most PTEs help you get practical workplace training in realistic work scenarios. You can study at flexible times and locations, to suit your needs, and classes are generally smaller.
YOUTH PROGRAMMES
If you have quit school, don’t perform well in a traditional class environment, haven’t achieved basic NCEA levels, or come from a disadvantaged background, youth programmes focus on courses that take you directly to a career. They open up entire sectors such as IT, engineering, early childhood education, carpentry and aged care to youth from a variety of backgrounds. Youth programmes are offered by PTEs, school and other institutions. Courses are free and some include a transport allowance and driver’s licence. An aspect, Youth Guarantee, is aimed at 16 and 17 year olds who can achieve NCEA Level 2, allowing them to progress to further study or a career. Programmes include vocational, secondary-tertiary (including trade academies), service academies and fees-free places at tertiary providers. See youthguarantee.education.govt. nz/
WANANGA
Recognised as tertiary institutions and the peers of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. According to NZQA, ‘‘A wananga is characterised by teaching and research that maintains, advances, and disseminates knowledge and develops intellectual independence, and assists the application of knowledge regarding ahuatanga Maori (Maori tradition) according to tikanga Maori (Maori custom).’’
WORKPLACE TRAINING
Industry training is learning and skill development linked to needs of workers, workplaces and industry, including trades like plumbing; primary industries; manufacturing; retail; government and community services. It provides workers with structured training on-job and off-job, so they earn while they learn. Industry training is coordinated by Industry Training Organisations. See nzqa.govt.nz/for-business/ito.do
CONCLUSION
To select an industry and a profession or trade within it is daunting, whether you’re leaving school or retraining. The cost is beyond the fees charged and should be considered alongside any lost earnings and the investment of time. Spend time in the workplace in the industry before enrolling in a study programme.