The government wants secondary schools to play a bigger role in preparing students for the working world by building vocational education and training (VET) into the curriculum. But a paradigm shift will be required for that to succeed – especially from industry.
The structural reform to school-based qualifications was proposed in the NCEA consultation document released earlier this month, with public submissions closing on September 15.
If introduced, it would effectively see New Zealand return to a “tracking” system where students are grouped into either academic or vocational pathways. The vocational pathway will include a dual mix of workplace and classroom learning.
