Student numbers decline

Enrolments at South Canterbury’s tertiary organisation have fallen in the past 12 months, but its endof-year target is not out of reach according to its chief executive.

Enrolment figures, released by Ara Institute of Canterbury, show the overall full time equivalent students based in South Canterbury dropped by close to 30 per cent, from 409.84 to 289.54 in the year to February 28.

The figures did not include programmes run as online, workplace-based and blended learning to Timaru-based students.

However, chief executive Kay Giles said the polytechnic was still expected to reach its end-of-year targets, citing ‘‘fluid’’ enrolment levels.

Ara confirmed 5125 full time equivalent students had enrolled as of March 16, 2017.

The polytechnic expected that to reach 8000 by the end of the year.

A clearer picture would be formed after the remaining enrolments had been processed and students passed the final date on which they could withdraw from classes, Giles said. ‘‘I expect the figures will improve.

‘‘The demand for the lower level programmes is not as high as budgeted, particularly in South Canterbury.’’

The overall decline in enrolments had partly been caused by Timaru’s strong labour market, she said.

That meant there had been fewer referrals, from youth agencies and the Ministry of Social Development, for the foundation courses, which included Levels 1 and 2, she said. The lower levels covered literacy, numeracy and other foundations courses.

Some people who would have enrolled in Level 1 or 2 courses were being ‘‘picked up regardless’’.

Level 2 enrolments dropped by 40 per cent, from 112.89 to 67.13 between 2016 and 2017.

Usually strong subjects areas for Ara, such as creative arts, did not have the same level of demand and the polytechnic would be looking into whether there needed to be any changes to the course, she said.

As for other declines, Giles said work was already underway to adjust marketing and engagement plans as well as considering other initiatives to boost numbers.

Giles discussed the 2017 student enrolments at an Ara Council meeting on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Giles said the polytech was ‘‘not on target, but not horrendously under’’.

‘‘The shape of enrolments will be better known at the end of March.’’

‘‘Foundation programme pathways are being recommended to some students with lower levels of prior learning, who are interested in higher level qualifications, in order to increase their likelihood of successfully completing their desired programme,’’ she said.

Level 3 enrolments had grown to 123.17 full time equivalent students in 2017. There were 92.76 in the previous year.

Youth Guarantee numbers had also contributed to the overall enrolment decline. The Dual Pathways programmes, offered to secondary school students, might have meant there was less demand for Youth Guarantee, Giles said.

Students who might have left school earlier could instead pick up a vocation and not need to enrol in the later programme, she said.

Level 1 enrolments remained relatively stable between 2016 and 2017, declining from 9.15 to 9.08.

Despite lower enrolment numbers, Giles was pleased with the current student cohort. Ideally the figures would be higher, but she was ‘‘happy with the students we’re attracting, who are very engaged’’.