Redesigning the Vocational Education and Training system to unlock the potential of Māori
- Emma Godwin
The vision of Hanga Aro Rau Workfroce Development Council is He puke tāngata, he pikinga taumata hei oranga mahi – more Māori with higher skills in higher paid jobs and improved employment opportunities. The purpose of this white paper is to reinforce this vision, providing actionable guidance to those ultimately responsible for the redesign of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system including a transition to Industry Skills Boards (ISBs). This important and critical role is better served supported with robust evidence-based information to ensure a responsive and evolving system, anchored by what has been proven to work well, for the future of all New Zealanders.
Executive Summary
Eight themes related to the future design of workforce development and vocational education were identified across the contributions from the many people we spoke with. From our engagement with Māori industry, they need to see in our vocational education system:
1. A surging Māori economy, effectively leveraged
2. Māori representation, top down
3. Better workforce attraction, progression and productivity
4. Improved qualification alignment
5. Ākonga-centred teaching and training
6. Impactful change to pathways and transitions
7. Values, tikanga, cultural identity and diversity are championed
8. An appreciation of the significance of te Tiriti o Waitangi and its connection to achieving greater outcomes
Māori industry believe that success will depend on:
1. The Māori economy. We want to see strategies which support iwi and Māori business to help grow the economy and lift our nation’s productivity, along with greater prosperity for us all.
2. Representation. System designers attending a few hui to ‘engage’ or ‘consult’ is not enough; Māori must be involved from the inception of the work, and in the room with the right people, at the right levels to be able to positively contribute to solutions and actions.
3. Attraction, progression and productivity. Workforce challenges have Māori solutions. The country’s demographic profile is undergoing significant change with an ageing workforce: Māori youth are the largest group of untapped potential in the workforce supply chain.
4. Qualifications, training and gaps. The Māori economy is clear about what it is looking for, from vocational education: more Māori with higher skills, in higher paid jobs and improved employment opportunities. This includes upskilling the current Māori workforce in advanced technologies and processes and bringing on new workers with appropriate skills. Employers are calling for work-based learning, e-learning, micro-credentials for specialisms, Industry 4.0, digitalisation and AI, as well as management and leadership training.
5. Understanding Māori ākonga and their whānau. The system can be rewired so that Māori have the education levels needed to get good quality jobs. This begins at primary school, with basic literacy and numeracy and continues with learning success and career plans, linking school and workplace. This needs to be undertaken in a way that embraces the cultural identities of ākonga.
6. Transitions. Better connections between ākonga and their whānau and schools, providers and industry will mean impactful change to the pathways into work for Māori youth, and better insights about career opportunities in 21st century trades, lifting economic performance and productivity.
7. Values and tikanga to support cultural identity in the workplace. Culturally responsive vocational training and skills development includes traditional tuakana-teina teaching and learning – these are effective approaches in building a skilled and productive Māori workforce, that can be internationally competitive.
8. The Government’s role in connecting all parts of the system is vital. Engagement with iwi, hapū, Māori communities, industry and providers as part of system design will lead to stronger functionality and better outcomes for all stakeholders. We have a great opportunity to reset the system and bring everyone forward, together.