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Māori, Pasifika, and learners with disabilities will be targeted in a new campaign to increase the number of young people taking up vocational education and training.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins says it’s part of an effort to plug the persistent skills gap in areas like construction and agriculture.
A recent survey by the Tertiary Education Commission found 42 percent of 18-24 year olds surveyed did not have a positive image of vocational education, and 53 percent of parents would rather their child attend university than enrol in a polytechnic or on-the-job training.
Mr Hipkins says to turn this around the Ministry of Social Development will lead a new education-to-employment brokerage service which will liaise between schools and employers.
The Ministry of Education will run more careers events, and there will be a contestable fund to support secondary schools to run their own trades events.
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