Education

* Industries will soon control how they train apprentices and trainees across New Zealand. * New Industry Skills Boards will set standards and manage assessments from January 2026. * The Government says the changes will better connect learning with real-world job requirements. The Government is changing work-based learning to give industries more say

* Chris Ramsay appointed to new advisory role to provide local input for SIT decisions * Position follows ministerial directive to strengthen regional involvement across all Te Pūkenga divisions * Ramsay brings over a decade of SIT involvement and strong Southland community connections Chris Ramsay has been appointed to a new role as

Southlanders big and small are invited to get up close and personal with the fascinating creatures that live in our waterways at upcoming events in Invercargill and Winton next week. Two public events will run alongside four days of exclusive school sessions, giving over 320 Murihiku Southland students from 14

* ILT’s scholarship programme supports international students in studying English at SIT in Invercargill. * The initiative aims to boost student retention and economic benefits in the Southland region. * Scholarship recipients have gained confidence and plan to continue further study at SIT. Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) recently hosted a celebratory

* SIT’s enrolled nursing graduates secured jobs at twice the national employment rate. * Programme success attributed to high-quality training, structure, and strong industry connections. * Many graduates, including career changers, benefit from SIT’s nursing education approach. Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) School of Nursing graduates have defied national employment trends,

The eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in Wellington this year, allowing young people from across the country – including Southland – to make their voices heard. This is a wonderful opportunity for a young person living in the Invercargill electorate to learn first-hand how democracy works and to represent their

* SIT enrolments have risen by 19% in January 2025 compared to the previous year. * Trades, Health and Well-being, and Applied Management are among the most popular courses. * The SIT Zero Fees Scheme continues, helping students access debt-free education. Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) has kicked off 2025 with a significant

As the school year begins, students at eight Southland schools are taking part in a new $3 million trial to help bring their maths up to speed, Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says. The targeted acceleration programme aims to give Year 7 and 8 students at 145 schools across the country