Mission - Wellington Institute of Technology

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CEO’s Report Tertiary education, particularly the institutes of technology and polytechnic sector, is an exciting business to be in. We have the potential to have a real impact on the economy as well as students' lives. WelTec made significant contributions to both in 2005. We are proud to continue to be the major provider of vocational/technical education in the Wellington region and a significant provider for New Zealand. Highlights In a year marked by some high-profile difficulties for the sector, WelTec was pleased to report a 7% increase in individual students over 2004, and a 4.4% increase in Equivalent Full-Time Students (EFTS). Positive student trends were noted in a number of areas including Maori student success rates and presence at higher levels of the Framework; Pasifiki student enrolments; and continuing high levels of student satisfaction. All 12 of our existing Industry Training Organisation (ITO) contracts were renewed, and three new ITOs committed to work with WelTec. We have forged some strategic new industry and community relationships and built on existing ones. Staff achievements were very strong: Neil Carroll (Academic Director) was a Woolf Fisher Fellow; Lorraine Rastorfer (Visual Arts) won the 2005 CoCA/Anthony Harper Award for Contemporary Art; Barbara Woods (Counselling) was invited to present her ground-breaking research on youth depression and suicide at Oxford University; Stephen Pope (Hospitality) became the first ITP recipient in several years of a Prime Minister's Tertiary Teaching Excellence award for Sustained Excellence. WelTec took responsibility for raising wider awareness that those with trades and high level technical skills are the 'New Professionals' of the future, ensuring that our marketing benefited the sector as well as furthering our own reputation in this area and encouraging students to consider a trade as a serious career option. With our strengths in trades and technical skills training and education WelTec has consolidated its role as the logical regional hub and focus for delivery in the Wellington Region. In 2005 we contributed to the Wellington Regional Economic and Workforce Strategies and have put in place programmes needed by the major industry sectors that influence both the current landscape and the shape of skills needs in the future. Funding Both WelTec's responsiveness to industry needs and the unprecedented full employment situation in 2005 resulted in an increase in students undertaking study while at work, and a decrease in those for whom study was their sole occupation. This led to a situation where our TEC-funded income was only 50% of our revenue. Because of the funding differential between TEC and other (especially ITOmediated) EFTS, this caused serious concern for us and we approached government for short-term loan facilities at mid-year. This situation confirmed what WelTec, in a major submission to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) in August 2004, had said would inevitably happen as a result of the funding level differential. We were grateful for the decisive response in 2005 which the Minister, Hon. Trevor Mallard, announced by saying "WelTec is performing commendably in providing the Wellington region much-needed trades training, as well as technical skills in health services, engineering, media design, and other practical fields. "The programmes it is running support the recent Statement of Tertiary Education Priorities and the direction this Government wishes the polytechnic sector to focus on. PAGE 4
"However, this year a shortfall on planned revenue has placed WelTec under some financial pressure. The Government is committed to supporting WelTec so that these programmes can proceed successfully and the interests of its students and staff are protected." Owing to very vigilant management throughout the year, WelTec ended with a small deficit before one-offs, and with some key ratios such as EFTS:FTE staff and the percentage of expenditure on personnel showing positive trends over 2004. It is now abundantly clear that the Government is correct in its analysis that the volume-based funding formula of the past decade needs to be adjusted in order to positively support ITPs, which contribute significantly and consistently to the economic transformation of the region and country. Academic Achievement Twenty-seven new vocational programmes were approved by Council and the Academic Board over the year including Diplomas for Building Officials, New Venture Development and two qualifications in Trauma Studies. Research outputs exceeded those of 2004. Highlights are profiled in this report. WelTec received a positive evaluation in the mid-term academic quality review by Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics Quality (ITPQ), confirming continuation of our Quality Assured status. The opening of a significant campus (700 EFTS) in Wellington City ensured we more effectively deliver on the promise of our name, Wellington Institute of Technology. At year-end, we celebrated some very positive trends: More Students… 20% growth in individuals and 40% growth in EFTS from 2001-2005. …. with More Industry Commitment … 55% growth in ITO-mediated EFTS between 2002-2005 … tackling skill shortages … 17,500 students trained in the Department of Labour's 16 skill-crisis areas between 2002-2005 … and meeting the ever-increasing need for high-value qualifications In the period 2003-2005, the proportion of students at Levels 1-3 of the National Qualification Framework fell by 9.2%, and the proportion at Levels 4-7 rose by the same percentage. Our students, staff, community supporters and industry can be confident that WelTec's senior management team is committed to continue with the excellent work we are renowned for. While 2005 compelled us to even more stringent efficiencies we can take this not much further without affecting the quality of our delivery so the Council and I look forward to actively working with Government to resolving funding issues for the future. Acknowledgements WelTec's staff make the institute what it is. During a time of skill shortages and full employment many of our staff had other options and I thank my colleagues for the loyalty, hard work and commitment that has ensured we continue to deliver high quality training and education. I sincerely thank my senior management team for their support and professionalism through a challenging year. I thank the WelTec Council, particularly our Chairperson, for the focus and energy that saw us successfully through 2005. Our industry partners and supporters have again contributed to WelTec's success. Dr. Linda Sissons, Chief Executive Officer PAGE 5
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Mission - Wellington Institute of Technology

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