Polytech sets graduation record

THE record number of people graduating from Otago Polytechnic today is helping to counter ‘‘marked skill shortages’’ in Dunedin and elsewhere in the country, chief executive Phil Ker says.

A record 1580 people will graduate from Otago Polytechnic today.

This includes 740 people graduating in person, up from 644 last year.

The overall numbers eclipse the polytechnic’s record of 1463 in December last year.

‘‘Otago Polytechnic’s varied programmes help to address some marked skills shortages,’’, Mr Ker said.

The rise in graduands reflected ‘‘the attractiveness of our programmes, the quality of our teaching and our innovative approaches to learning’’.

The polytechnic’s achievements, in the face of ‘‘declining sector enrolments’’ reflected its success in ‘‘servicing not only school leavers, but experienced adults in the workplace’’.

Otago Polytechnic provided ‘‘tremendous benefits’’ for Dunedin and Otago, injecting more than $300 million into the Otago economy, according to a recent economic impact report, he said.

The polytechnic also contributed to its communities in other ways, such as student projects and sponsorships.

The polytechnic recently became the first organisation in New Zealand to win the prestigious Baldrige-affiliated Performance Excellence Study Award.

The polytechnic’s latest graduation parade will be on George St from 11am today, and the two graduation ceremonies are at the Dunedin Town Hall at 12.30pm and 3.30pm today.