Auckland University
what's the difference?
There's university, of course. Most people know what that is. But where do polytechnics (ITPs), industry training organisations (ITOs), private training establishments (PTEs) and wananga fit into the picture?
Geography is usually a big factor in choosing where to study. Aucklanders could study at the University of Auckland, AUT University, or Massey University, for example. But there are also ITPs such as Unitec and Manukau Institute of Technology, not to mention dozens of private training establishments. Depending on the course you want, there are institutions such as Computer Power Plus, Servilles Academy, Media Design School, AMES IT Academy ... the list goes on and on, and that's just in Auckland alone!
Qualifications can sometimes be similar across universities, ITPs, and private providers, but they all have a different emphasis. Take the time to do your research. The institutions' websites always have course information -- be careful to note any special advantages they offer, such as links to industry.
Be sure to shop around when you're deciding on your further learning institution. Don't associate a university degree with being most likely to get you the job you want because the workforce continually changes, and a polytech or private training establishment may be the tertiary education provider that has evolved in your chosen sector the fastest.
Institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs)Polytechnics pride themselves on being based on the practical pursuit of learning. Their courses are focused on getting you a job!
The range of subjects at ITPs is wide and varied -- you can study anything from nursing to interior design. Polytechnics offer qualifications to suit students of all ages, backgrounds, and experience.
Each institution has a range of degrees, diplomas, and certificates you can study, all in specific fields. Like most tertiary education providers, ITPs have areas of speciality. For example, Whitireia excels in the arts and communication (e.g. creative writing, publishing, and journalism), whereas Otago Polytechnic and Unitec have strong veterinary nursing programmes.
New Zealand ITPs Aoraki Polytechnic
-Bay of Plenty Polytechnic
-Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
-Eastern Institute of Technology
-Manukau Institute of Technology
-Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology
-Northland Polytech (NorthTec)
-Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
-Otago Polytechnic
-Southern Institute of Technology
-Tai Poutini Polytechnic
-Unitec New Zealand
-Universal College of Learning
-Waiariki Institute of Technology
-Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec)
-Wellington Institute of Technology (Weltec)
-Western Institute of Technology Taranaki
-Whitireia Community Polytechnic
Universities
Western civilisation is founded on the notion that knowledge and the desire to understand, and explain this understanding to others, is a fundamental human need. This is the purpose universities fulfil. The respect accorded to universities, embodied in the principal of academic freedom, is crucial to the ability of a society to mature and grow.
Universities offer the highest and most challenging level of education. You go to university to get a degree (and after that, an Honours degree, postgraduate diploma, Master's degree, or Doctorate). You study hard and learn how to rationalise, argue, test, research, and think laterally.
There are eight universities in New Zealand. The University of Auckland has the highest international rankings, followed by the University of Otago, University of Canterbury, and Victoria University of Wellington. However, all New Zealand universities have good international reputations (all eight ranked in the top 500 in the 2013 QS World University Rankings).
As with ITPs, universities have learning areas where they are internationally renowned. For example, Lincoln University has a focus on agriculture and farming, Victoria University excels in law and the humanities, and the University of Waikato has a great business school. Some research will help you to decide the best university for you.
New Zealand Universities
-The University of Auckland
-AUT University
-The University of Waikato
-Victoria University of Wellington
-The University of Canterbury
-The University of Otago
-Massey University
-Lincoln University
Industry training organisations (ITOs)
Industry training organisations (ITOs) develop training programmes and qualifications for industries and the government. Following recent mergers, there are currently 14 ITOs in New Zealand, which cover all industries. ITOs provide information about industry skill demand, define national skill standards and qualifications required by industry, and broker training to meet the needs of employees in industry (working with private industry-specific training providers to do so).
If you want an apprenticeship in the trades, the ITOs are the place to go. They organise on-the-job training, off-the-job learning, ongoing assessment, and provide up-to-date information to employees and employers.
The current ITOs are:
-Building and Construction ITO
-Careerforce
-Competenz
-EmQual
-Funeral Service Training Trust of New Zealand
-Infrastructure ITO
-NZ Hairdressing ITO
-NZ Marine ITO
-NZ Motor ITO
-Pharmacy ITO
-ServiceIQ
-Skills Active Aotearoa
-The Skills Organisation
-Universal College of Learning
Wananga
Wananga are New Zealand tertiary education institutions that focus on practical learning, as well as embracing a teaching and learning philosophy that is built around Maori culture and knowledge. In traditional times, the word wananga conveyed meanings related to highly evolved knowledge, lore, and occult arts reached through "discussion" to arrive at deeper understanding. In wananga classes, students learn from each other just as much as the teacher.
At wananga, you learn how to learn. They also offer:
-Bridging certificates
-Diplomas
-Bachelor's degrees
-Postgraduate qualifications such as Masters and PhD degrees
Many of these programmes can be studied part-time during weekdays, in the evening, at the weekend, or from home.
Programmes are delivered in a uniquely Maori environment and are based on a teaching which provides an inclusive, interactive, and nurturing learning experience.
There are three wananga in Aotearoa, plus Open Wananga (a distance learning 'campus' of Te Wananga o Aotearoa). Each has campuses throughout the country:
-Te Wananga o Aotearoa - Open Wananga (distance education)
-Te Wananga o Raukawa
-Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi
Private Training Establishments (PTEs)
For-profit doesn't necessarily mean a compromise in training quality. Private training establishments take a niche and specialise in it, which can often lead to industry-specific programmes that lead to better employment prospects after you graduate.
Great examples include Servilles Academy, which is a leading provider of training for hairdressers and hospitality workers, Computer Power Plus, which specialises in IT training, and CTC Aviation trains pilots.
PTEs generally provide education at the certificate and diploma level, and although the sting in the tail can be high course fees, your employability is high.
Online research may uncover the PTE that is right for you.
--JET MAGAZINE