Qualifications to promote Maori economic growth

NZQA is to take a leadership role to ensure qualifications promote economic growth for Maori.

An external Maori reference group, the Maori Economic Development Forum, will be established to identify potential new qualifications that will bring improved economic benefits to Maori.

The forum, to hold its first hui before the end of the year, includes representatives from industry, Tertiary Education Organisations, Maori businesses and iwi.

"Maori are already using a range of qualifications to springboard into jobs and so contribute to the economy. However, we may be able to identify any potential gaps so that Maori get the best value from their education and training," says NZQA Acting Chief Advisor Maori Alex Bidois.

A kaitiaki group, called Te Roopu Kaituhono, has already been established to provide an overview on NZQA's approach to Maori knowledge. Alex says the Maori Economic Development Forum will be more operational and may identify opportunities for new qualifications development needs.

"NZQA will work with our advisory groups throughout 2008/09 to increase the number of qualifications that are clearly linked to Maori economic growth. These may be in Field Maori or in other qualifications," Alex says.

NZQA also plans to review processes and qualifications for Maori knowledge and programmes to ensure accessibility and relevance to Maori learners.

Providers of education and training to Maori learners will be consulted as part of this work over the coming year.

"The criteria for providers of programmes should be based on Maori values and world views. This can be reflected in quality assurance processes against which provider programmes are assessed.

"Similarly, the assessment and valuing of courses and qualifications that incorporate Maori cultural perspectives and practices should be based on Maori knowledge. We want to make that more explicit in the way we register and approve relevant qualifications," Alex says.

NZQA is implementing plans from Te Rautaki Maori, NZQA's five-year Maori Strategy and Implementation Plan. This, in turn, is one of five focus areas in NZQA's Statement of Intent for 2008-11.

For more information, email terautaki@nzqa.govt.nz