The Government is pushing ahead with a plan to overhaul skills and apprenticeship training by creating a single national polytechnic.

The proposal has been painted as an attack on industry training organisations who say they have better retention and pass rates for Māori students than polytechnics.

The role of supporting workplace learning will shift from industry training organisations to training providers.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins says the changes will address the widespread skills shortages across most industry sectors as well as prepare for a future in which at least a third of all jobs are likely to be significantly affected by automation.

He says the current system is leaving behind too many Māori, Pacific and disabled learners because it won’t respond to their needs.

Māori will be included as key partners, including through Te Taumata Aronui, a Māori Crown Tertiary Education Group that will work with education agencies and Ministers and cover all aspects of tertiary education.

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