DairyNZ supports vocational education reforms

The Government is consulting on the future of work-based learning in the vocational education and training system and has two options for consideration.

An independent work-based learning model would mean a learner receives both education and pastoral care from an approved training provider, while a collaborative work-based learning model would involve both a provider to manage education, and an Industry Skills Board to provide pastoral care to each learner.

DairyNZ senior people specialist Jane Muir says DairyNZ supported the independent work-based learning model.

"We want to see an adequately funded system that prioritises learning while also ensuring value for the employer, to ensure the best chance of success for all involved," she says.

"The relationship between the learner and the provider is crucial and separating the pastoral care from the organisation most invested in their success simply adds more costs and a layer of complication.

"Building work-based capability on-farm is of critical importance."

Muir points out that DairyNZ is in a unique position with Dairy Training Limited (DTL), a subsidiary of DairyNZ, being well-equipped with practical insight and expertise into the opportunities and challenges of delivering vocational education successfully.

She says any new system needs to support private training establishments, such as Dairy Training Limited, to continue to grow.

A recent survey showed that 95% of DTL students either agreed or strongly agreed that their capability improved as a result of completing a DTL course.

DTL course enrolments have also increased by 500% over the past 5 years and continue to grow, she says.

"That's why we believe a DTL model adds value to the dairy sector and has potential to grow.

"As a sector, dairy farming generates more than $25 billion in exports for New Zealand, and it's our people on-farm that help us realise this potential.

"It's more important than ever that we're able to respond quickly to change and we can only do that with the right funding and training structures in place."