Dec 7, 2017 - Health Minister Dr David Clark says he is taking action following the release of the Stage 2 findings from the Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water. “All New Zealanders should expect to have access to clean drinking water and, following this report, some will ask whether their water is safe. This report highlights that little has been done in this space for nine years,” Dr Clark says.
“The inquiry found that 80 per cent of residents have access to water which meets current standards. The inquiry raised concerns about the other 20 per cent.
“My priority, in reviewing the recommendations, remains the health of every New Zealander.
“Overall, this report raises serious concerns about oversight and infrastructure. We will be pursuing solutions to address any problems identified.
“I’ll be briefing Cabinet before Christmas on the next steps – both short and long term.”
Dr Clark acknowledged the scope of the report.
“Much of what we’re reading about today reflects yet another problem inherited from the previous Government and their nine years of neglect.
“I am expecting the Ministry of Health to take the report’s findings very seriously.
“The inquiry indicates that while drinking water standards instituted in 2007 represented international best practice at the time, since then New Zealand’s standards have not kept up with the world. This is a failure of the previous Government, and one we will take control of and address,” Dr Clark said.
The report is available here: https://www.dia.govt.nz/Government-Inquiry-into-Havelock-North-Drinking-Water
| A Beehive release || December 6, 2017 |||
Dec 5, 2017 - The Government’s policy of a year’s free tertiary education for eligible students will benefit workers and business alike, says E tū. Of the 80,000 students forecast to take up the offer next year, 50,000 are expected to enrol in NZQA accredited industry training.
In the case of industry training, eligible students will enjoy two years fee free.
“There are currently about 11,000 construction apprentices but there’s a need for another 40,000 workers over the next five years,” says E tū’s Industry Coordinator, Engineering and Infrastructure, Ron Angel.
“We should have begun training five years ago, but the next best time to start is right now, so this will certainly provide a boost for the relevant Industry Training Organisations to promote apprenticeships,” he says.
“This is an opportunity for more firms to take that jump and say, ‘yeah, I’m taking on an apprentice’, and having a go at it.”
Ron says the policy will also sit well alongside the Government’s focus on forestry and regional development.
“There are huge opportunities in forestry and the primary sector where we can add value to workers and get highly trained, highly skilled people who know there’s a future and a career ahead of them,” he says.
Electrician and E tū Executive member, Ray Pilley says the trades have been neglected for too long and anything which promotes trades to young people is good.
“I’m an electrician and I’ve been in the industry for over 30 years. I’ve had a fantastic career. It’s well paid and you’ve got a job for life.
“The old saying is true – got a trade, got it made.”
| An E tū release || december 5, 2017 |||
Dec 5, 2017 - The Government has today made good on its 100-day promise of delivering the first year of fees-free post school training and education and industry training from 1 January next year, says Education Minister Chris Hipkins. “This Government has taken the first major steps to break down financial barriers to post-school training and education. Next year, around 80,000 people will be eligible for fees free post-school training and education.
“It comes on top of our recent announcement of $50 increases in student allowance and student loans weekly living costs limits, which will make more than 130,000 students $50 a week better off.
“The policy is a major investment in New Zealanders and the New Zealand economy.
“It’s great news for young people who are finishing school and adults who have in the past been put off because of the cost, and it provides a genuine incentive to keep learning. This government is passionate about life-long learning. “Employers have also been calling for bold forward thinking to build a future workforce with new skills to meet changing demands. That’s what this policy will deliver.
“We expect the policy to halt, and over time reverse the current trend of fewer people going into post-school training and education. We have budgeted for a 3% increase in equivalent full-time students in 2018, equating to about 2000 extra students.
“The Government has budgeted for up to $380 million in the current financial year across the fees-free policy and the $50 increases to student loans and allowances.
“Of the about 80,000 eligible students, estimates are that about 50,000 will train or study at a polytechnic, as industry trainees, at a wānanga or a PTE. The remainder will study at university.
Eligibility and implementation
Mr Hipkins said the policy details released today confirm the eligibility for fees-free in provider-based education and industry training.
“If you're a New Zealander who finished school in 2017, or if you will finish school during 2018, you qualify for a year of free provider based tertiary education or industry training in 2018. If you're not a recent school leaver, and you've done less than half a fulltime year of education or training, you also qualify,” Mr Hipkins said.
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) will be responsible for implementing the fees-free policy, Mr Hipkins said.
“The TEC is working with Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) to ensure effective implementation of the fees-free policy, minimising any extra work TEOs may have to do. The TEC has set up a fees-free website to help prospective students and trainees confirm their eligibility for free fees. The TEC is being supported by other agencies, including the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education and Inland Revenue.
“I appreciate that enrolled and prospective learners have had to wait some time before seeing the final details of the fees-free policy and I thank them for their patience; however, I’m sure learners will be happy with the result,” Mr Hipkins said.
More information for prospective students and trainees is at the fees-free website www.feesfree.govt.nz.
Further information for tertiary education providers and industry training organisations is available on the TEC’s website – www.tec.govt.nz.
The Government is committed to being transparent about how it develops and implements its policies. Cabinet papers on the Fees Free and student support costs polices are at: http://education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/information-releases/100-days.
| A Beehive release || December 5, 2017 |||
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