Learner Support
A holistic approach to supporting all learners at Competenz, including representation and learner support for Māori and Pasifika
Throughout the evolution of Te Pūkenga and within the RoVE environment, Competenz continues to align its values and activities with overarching tertiary education strategies.
Equitable outcomes for all learners are important to Competenz as we work towards becoming a fully bicultural organisation through educating our people and improving our external offerings.
Two of the new cornerstone strategies released by the Tertiary Education Committee (TEC) are pivotal in Competenz initiatives to promote biculturalism and strengthen learner support for Māori and Pasifika.
These strategies are:
Te Pae Tawhiti: Te Pūkenga’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi Excellence Framework. This outlines Te Pūkenga’s commitment to inclusion and equity for Māori.
Ōritetanga Learner Success: The government’s vision for shaping a stronger education system is focused on a tertiary experience that is inclusive, equitable and connected.
In alignment with these strategies, Competenz has strengthened its approach to Te Tiriti with plans to establish a Māori Perspectives Advisory Board, Ngā Kaiurungi, and Māori perspectives strategy. These initiatives are set to improve our relationships with te iwi Māori, improve bicultural competency, strengthen our commitment as a Te Tiriti partner, and increase the recognition and representation of Māori perspectives within our organisation.
On average, credit achievement rates for Māori, Pasifika, and under 25-year-old Competenz trainees are well below their counterparts. Our goal is to lift these learners’ achievement levels, starting in sectors where there are a high number and a high proportion of learners.
To achieve this goal, a Competenz learner support programme in the engineering sector was developed and tested in late 2020. This programme comprises several comprehensive support tools that are applied differently to meet each individual learner’s needs.
This programme will roll out across other sectors over the next few years.