UCOL ‘in good shape’ despite polytech sector crisis

Polytechs face a national overhaul as student numbers fall, but UCOL is weathering the storm, a senior manager says.

In the past 10 years student numbers have dropped by almost a third nationwide at polytechnics and institutes of technology, bringing into question their future survival. .

Tertiary Education Commission chief executive Tim Fowler has called for an urgent planning review programme for the sector.

UCOL had the equivalent of 3334 full-time students in 2016 – the latest year covered by annual reports – just 40 less than the previous year. But in 2006 they had the equivalent of 4717 full-time students.

Though the polytech lost almost $1 million in government grants between 2015 and 2016, revenue only dipped from $48.1 million to $47.7m.

‘‘UCOL is in good shape and performing well,’’ said Jerry Shearman, UCOL executive director of applied education and research. ‘‘We maintained similar student volumes to 2016 numbers and achieved a financial surplus of $480,000.’’

The strong job market, more people staying at high school later, competition from universities and private training institutes, and population changes, all contributed to the drop in numbers nationwide in the past 10 years, he said.

However, the regions where UCOL is based have promising economic forecasts, and this should strengthen the polytech’s financial performance, he said. Technical skills are also still in demand.

The polytech’s main campus is in Palmerston North. It also run courses online and smaller campuses in Whanganui, Masterton, Levin and Auckland.

The Labour-led Government has promised a shake-up of the sector, and Tertiary Education Minister Chris Hipkins recently questioned whether New Zealand needs 16 polytechs.

UCOL staff did not take part in industry crisis talks held by the Tertiary Education Commission on March 1, but the polytech would contributing to the commission’s review.