I’ll be earning a crust analysing the Budget for subscribers of ED Insider, ED Blog’s sister site, today so I don’t plan to put up anything major about the Budget. I might throw up a couple of key issues for discussion.

1. 4WD Training There is a great story at NZ4WD about the impact of the TEC ceasing funding of regulatory and health and safety training. I’m guessing that most of you don’t check that site regularly, so I’m happy to bring it to your attention. There are some great off the record comments as people explain the impact of large subsidies on the industry and how trainers are adjusting to the new situation – which is of course what they used to do for many years. In fact, it might provide some guidance to others who lose subsidies later today.
2. ITPs Expecting Cuts NZITP, which represents 14 ITPs, has low expectations for today’s Budget, expecting funding to be cut. Of course, special funds were always going to end this year, while the last Budget cut regulatory compliance/health and safety training (as in the last story). NZITP’s James Buwalda also mentions funding being held back for performance review and I’m not too sure about that. The interesting thing about today’s Budget is whether ITPs have extra cuts or new requirements on them. In any case, as James notes, ITPs had a good 2009 and should have a good 2010.
3. 319 Scholarships The Masterton Lands Trust, which I’d never heard of before, has just given out 319 $500 scholarships to students from the area.
4. Motor Apprentices The MTA Apprentice of the Year competition is getting under way. I like that the employer of last year’s winner is called “Chopper”.
5. CPIT Exploiting Staff …according to the local TEU organiser, who points out that a large surplus for 2009 was achieved in part by increasing staff:student ratios.
6. Otago CornerThe University of Otago is not planning to replace a bridge, needs 50% more space in Wellington and Christchurch over the next 20 years, and is reviewing not just the printing department but HR/payroll as well - how will they keep on reviewing departments if they cut their HR staff?
7. HSI Awards The finalists have been chosen for HSI’s Awards for Excellence in Training. The finalists in the Training Provider (Qualification Pathways) category were TREE HOUSE, NorthTec and Practical Education Institute. Unfortunately no finalists were selected in the Training Provider (Workplace Partnerships) category.
8. Learn while You Earn The Press has a story on a private trust that supports school leavers to work and study part-time at the same time. It’s an interesting model.