2. Question No. 2—EducationJO LUXTON (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 2—Education2. JO LUXTON (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What response has he seen to the decisions about the Reform of Vocational Education that he announced on 1 August 2019?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): The response has been pragmatic and constructive. The building and construction industry for example has said that they are pleased that the Government has taken on sector and industry views on how to manage the transition. They also went on to say that We are looking forward to working proactively with the Government to ensure a smooth transition." They went on to say "It is essential [that] employers and apprentices understand it is business as usual and they should not hold off entering into an apprenticeship for fear of not completing or [for] what the changes might mean." That is a critical message that all employers and apprentices need to hear.Jo Luxton: Is that consistent with responses from other industry training organisations?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes. For example Careerforce called it "a generational change in vocational education" but noted that "we should all continue with business as usual" in the meantime. Similarly Connexus said "We'll continue to promote trainee enrolments and ensure industry do not stop training and gaining qualified people as we move through the transition to a new system." Skills Active who have been opposed to the reform said they are looking at how to work within vocational pathways to best serve the interests of our industries.Jo Luxton: What have industry organisations had to say about the announcement?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There have been some very positive responses from industry organisations. To name just three Horticulture New Zealand said that "We think it is great … the Government 'is putting industry in charge' through initiatives like … Workforce Development Councils and Centres of Vocational Excellence" and congratulated the Government on having a bold vision and for listening to horticulture. DairyNZ said the announcement presents a unique opportunity to reshape the system while the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) said it was pleased to hear of the focus on workplace learning and apprenticeships and that the future of work has been considered.Dr Liz Craig: What's been the reaction to the announcement from Clutha-Southland?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm very pleased to say that the Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan applauded it as a bold move to restructure a broken system. I will quote directly from him: "At the moment we should be working to discuss the positives and what we can do to position us for the future." Mr Cadogan went on to say that the focus should centre on working with the establishment board for a positive outcome for the lower South Island. I completely agree with the mayor.Jo Luxton: What has been feedback from staff and students?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The feedback from staff and students has again been positive. For example Otago Polytechnic Students' Association President Nathan Laurie has said that he believes the reforms will change people's lives for the better. Mr Laurie said he'd been in touch with his counterparts in areas like Nelson and the Hawke's Bay and said that the mood was completely positive. The New Zealand Union of Students' Associations called it a positive step for students the Tertiary Institutes Allied Staff Association called it a far-sighted important change that preserves and expands the very best of our sector while the Tertiary Education Union welcomed an end to a decade of uncertainty and underfunding.Jo Luxton: How have institutes of technology and polytechnics reacted?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Again the reactions from the institutes of technology and polytechnics have been by and large very positive. The Western Institute of Technology in Taranaki said it is the most significant move in the sector for a generation and went on to say the Government had done what polytechs should've done years ago. Otago polytech said of the revamp proposals "We are now in the first stages of moving into an entirely new vocational education system—and one that has picked up on the key points that [the] Otago Polytechnic put forward in [its] submission." The Universal College of Learning called it a step forward for vocational education Ara said the announcement holds a number of positives and the Eastern Institute of Technology welcomed the Government's commitment to ensuring strong and effective regional and local leadership.Rt Hon Winston Peters: What was the most frenetic unreasonable and idiotic submission he got on this matter and where did it come from?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: It would be fair to say that there were a variety of submissions some of which were not based on any fact whatsoever. I've seen reports in recent days of people claiming that this will be the end of their local polytechnics. Most of those claims have come from people who should know better.Sarah Dowie: What did the Minister think of Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt's comments about the Southern Institute of Technology and the future of Invercargill's polytechnic?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I respectfully disagree with Mayor Shadbolt's comments on the proposal and suggest that he talk to every other mayor in his region who have urged him to work constructively with them for the best interests of the lower South Island."