NZQA is taking a tough line on private training establishments (PTEs) that have failed to meet their reporting requirements. 41 PTEs were issued compliance notices on 25-26 May and were given 10 working days to comply with the notices – if they do not do so by 8-9 June (Monday 7 June is a holiday) then they will have their registration cancelled or conditions imposed. NZQA has not just taken a tough stance, but it has put up the details on its website and named those that are still non-complaint.

As at 11am yesterday, the following 13 PTEs had not provided a Statutory Declaration (of compliance) and numbers 1-10 had not provided a Chartered Accountant Professional Attestation, which are part of the required Annual Return. Those PTEs will have their registration cancelled if they do not meet the deadline.

1. ECN English Academy
2. Foundation for Youth Development
3. Learning Innovations Limited
4. Network for Fitness Professionals
5. Norgren Limited
6. PIERC Education
7. Staff Training Associates
8. Te Wananga Whare Tapere O Takitimu
9. Te Whare Wananga O Te Pihopatanga O Aotearoa
10. The Pacific College of Technology
11. ACTS Auckland City Training School
12. EVAKONA Education Limited
13. Te Toi Huarewa O Hoani Waititi Marae

As at 11am yesterday, the following 4 PTEs had not provided a Chartered Accountant Professional Attestation, which is part of the required Annual Return. Those PTEs will have their registration cancelled, or have conditions imposed, if they do not meet the deadline.

1. Alphacrucis
2. Gestalt Institute of New Zealand
3. Pathways College of Bible and Mission
4. Pounamu Performing Arts

This is a tough line by NZQA, both on enforcing requirements and doing so publicly. I support them wholeheartedly, as most government agencies tend to propose new regulations rather than enforce existing ones. If you’re going to put something on the books, it makes sense to enforce it – otherwise the costs just fall on the more diligent providers and the risks are not effectively managed. (The declarations involve an assurance of solvency by an accountant and an assurance that quality assurance standards are being complied with).

Of course, tough decisions can have all sorts of outcomes, especially when one of the providers, Te Toi Huarewa O Hoani Waititi Marae, seems to have Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples as a founder. Some of the other PTEs above will have some allies too and it will be interesting to see if NZQA’s resolve wavers at all, or if the PTEs get their a into g first.