Dr Michael Johnston: Trades training is just as important as a university education

A skilled workforce is fundamental to a healthy economy. In New Zealand, we have no shortage of young people wanting a university education. The skills acquired through apprenticeships are equally important. Yet far fewer young people undertake apprenticeships.

The average age of New Zealand’s apprentices is 28 years. Just 6% of young New Zealanders go directly into apprenticeships when they leave school. That is less than a fifth of the percentage going to university. In stark contrast, about half of all German school leavers take up apprenticeships.

Dr Michael Johnston: New Zealand needs clearer pathways to apprenticeships

Every year in New Zealand, around 62,000 young people leave school. Just 6% of them enter apprenticeship training. Nearly double that – 11% – neither gain employment nor enrol in post-school education. That comparison points to a serious waste of human potential. In contrast, under the German ‘dual training’ system, fully half of school leavers take up apprenticeships.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 3/10/23

Taxpayers might be piste off, as govt lending to ski field is lifted to $50m – but more corporate welfare is announced, too

The distributions of two dollops of corporate welfare have been proudly announced in government press statements today, but neither mentions or relates to the further taxpayer funding for ski fields on the skids.

The government’s official website tells of $7 million being provided to boost aerospace operators and an unstated sum to help forestry processors.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 2/8/23

Govt will be cutting education costs to find $680m after doing its sums on a pay deal for teachers

The Minister of Education has answered our question: how is the government spending (or misspending) our money?

It will be spent on giving secondary school teachers more money in their pay packets – and this will cost heaps.