The focus of the Entry Level project is to review the two current Primary Industry entry level qualifications and explore developing additional or alternative qualifications and/or supporting micro-credentials and standards at Level 2 and Level 3 that will strengthen pathways into the people, food and fibre sector of Aotearoa.
The project aims to examine the current and future skills needs of our industries and to improve transferability of those skills between sectors, enabling a wide range of people, including school leavers, career changers, and mature workers to transition into the workforce.
Muka Tangata will work with key partners including industry, iwi Māori, schools, kura Māori, trades academies, and employers to strengthen pathways from senior secondary school into people, food and fibre employment and further training.
Key steps:
Engagement
- Open expressions of interest form - 4-28 March 2024
- Wānanga/roadshow - April/May 2024
- Steering and working groups formed - May-September 2024
Latest Progress:
Consultation
- Advise identified iwi and hapū Māori and Māori industry partners about project launching 4 March 2024 - 28 February 2024
- Project announcement to industry, VET providers and public - 4 March 2024
Consolidated actions in this project
Develop micro-credentials for targeted skills needs (Fruit)
The Fruit industry is strongly seasonal with time pressures for learners undertaking qualifications. In response, we will develop shorter, targeted training, in the form of micro-credentials, to address targeted skills needs. We are engaging with industry to identify priority areas, such as skills for using emerging technologies.
Support workers to move across the industry and/or industries (Vegetables)
As part of our work to create a framework, and suite of products that maximises flexibility and transferability, we will explore reviewing and developing qualifications that are transferrable across a variety of industries.
For example, it has been suggested that there may be a need for more general skills at level 4 of horticulture qualifications, instead of learners having to choose a strand. This would provide a pathway for learners in regions which are not heavily weighted towards a particular strand to continue study.
Support workers to move across the industry (Support Services)
As part of our work to create a framework, and suite of products, that maximises flexibility and transferability, we will explore reviewing and developing qualifications that are transferrable across a variety of industries.
Work to make qualifications more flexible (Support Services)
The industry has said that the qualifications contain material not required for their role, while other skills are missing. We will work with industry to identify potential areas for improvement, including looking at skills standards and credentials.
Develop meaningful and diverse pathways for ākonga (learners); to attract and retain the food and fibre workforce. (All industries)
In collaboration with key industry and vocational education partners, Muka Tangata is working to build flexible, sustainable, and enduring learning pathways for ākonga as they enter the food and fibre sector through our entry level qualification development project. We will explore the development of qualifications, standards and micro-credentials at Level 2 (and Level 3 where appropriate).
Muka Tangata will collaborate with industry, Māori business, iwi Māori, schools, kura kaupapa Māori, Trades Academies, and employers to explore pathways from senior secondary school to our entry-level qualifications, and to assess the suitability of school standards for this purpose.
We plan to create impactful and practical learning qualifications, micro-credentials and skill standards for rangatahi (young people), offering them an introduction into the food and fibre sector and preparing them for a smooth transition into the workforce.
The project will also be supported by the New Approach to Learner Pathways research which aims to develop a multi-level Food and Fibre Skills Framework. The Entry Level project will enable us to build the initial layer/s of this Framework.
We will work closely with our provider partners and other Workforce Development Councils to support ākonga mobility, promote flexible training, and support informal and non-formal learning.