Regional Kōrero: continuing the conversation
Tēnā koutou katoa. Names connect us to our identity. At an individual and corporate level, they communicate something of our journey – who we are, where we belong, and who we belong to... whānau, iwi, communities of place and purpose, organisations, and countries.
In his Letter of Expectation, the Minister asked the IST Establishment Board to make a recommendation to him on a name for the new national Institute, after thorough stakeholder engagement, recognising that the brand will be used both domestically and internationally.
This is one of the foundation workstreams we’ve been working hard on in recent months, and on Thursday this week we’ll share with you a video that captures the essence of the journey to date. It will include the Board’s preferred name, along with a range of other names considered.
It’s important to remember that a preference is not a decision or a recommendation, it is simply a preference. The name that will be recommended to the Minister has not been decided. Before making its recommendation, the Board will provide an opportunity for everyone to have their say online in mid-February.
Leading up to that, we’re visiting 15 locations around the country, kindly hosted by Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics, for a series of Regional Kōrero to have the conversation in person. This week we're in Dunedin on Thursday 30th and then Invercargill on Friday 31st.
During these hui we’ll also be sharing a summary of progress to date and talking about what will and won’t change when the legislation comes into effect on 1 April 2020. As always, we’ll be answering questions where we can, and committing to find out answers if we don’t know them immediately.
As well as a new name, the new Institute will need a home somewhere in New Zealand, and the Minister has also asked the Board for a recommendation on where the head office should be through a bid process from regions.
To ensure the process is robust, fair, open, and transparent, from 6 December to 15 January the Board invited registrations of interest through the Government’s Electronic Tender Service. There was a good response and the shortlisting process is now underway. We won’t be making any further comment during the selection process and we expect to be able to provide a further update in March.
The Establishment Board is meeting in Napier next week where there are a number of critical elements on the agenda, including a summary of the vision and strategic framework, an aligned operational structure to give effect to the strategic intent of the Bill and Charter, and a further draft of the Implementation Business Case.
The Board has also been reviewing the preliminary reports from the seven working groups who have been creating recommendations for the incoming Council to consider. These groups are made up of the diversity that comprises vocational education – from learners to staff, industry and business leaders – and we’re pleased to be able to introduce you to some of them through regular profiles in these updates.
As Andrew McSweeney mentions this week, there are still many unknowns and the pace and timeframes for this work has been challenging. The Board is mindful of the need to prioritise and pace these recommendations for the next phase. We’re grateful to all those who have participated to date – your efforts will provide an invaluable resource as we lay the foundation for the new world of learning.
Murray