Comments on: Midwives – the strongest group in tertiary education?

By: Darel

Darel — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 02:20:04 +0000

I think it is generally appreciated in tertiary education circles that arrangements in the plumbing world were less than ideal.

By: Dave Guerin

Dave Guerin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:06:03 +0000

You’re quite right that they have additional powers, but what interests me is how they have set a clear strategy for the workforce and then implemented it through qualifications approval. The Teachers’ Council exercises power but has often done so in an obdurate and ideological manner, rather than to achieve some clear workforce goals. I’d agree that influence or authority over accreditation is key, but I’d want to think more before I came down on the side of authority. The MC seems to have used their authority well, but will everyone?

By: Jeremy Baker

Jeremy Baker — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:58:44 +0000

The key here is that the Midwifery Council is empowered by legislation as the accreditation and registration body for the occupation of Midwifery. Providers don’t have much of a choice but to comply if they wish to offer programmes in this area. ITOs and other industry bodies without this sort of authority are in a much weaker position in ensuring that tertiary providers meet their industries’ needs. This suggests that it is through authority for accreditation that industry bodies can exert the most meaningful influence on the tertiary sector.