ITI Articles

New Zealand Management Academies (NZMA) is one of just 10 private tertiary providers across the country that has been invited by the Government to be part of its new Youth Guarantee Scheme.

The scheme, which kicks off in 2010, aims to improve the educational  achievements of targeted 16 and 17 year olds by providing them with an opportunity to participate in a range of vocational courses free of charge.  The Government has agreed to fund $52.7 million over 2010 and 2011 for the project, and has selected 28 tertiary education providers across New Zealand to deliver it.  Allocation of places was based on the number of unemployed young people in the population and the quality of the proposals.  

The 18 polytechnics and 10 private training enterprises will provide places for 2000 students.  NZMA has been awarded funding for 70 of these places.

“We are delighted to have been chosen to participate in this scheme,” says NZMA Managing Director Tim Cullinane.   “Youth Guarantee will now widen the number of initiatives that we are involved in that directly support young people and their academic achievement and success.  These initiatives are all tremendously important to us and close to our heart, as well as being in complete alignment with our NZMA vision.”

NZMA’s Vision is “To be a leader in New Zealand education by making a meaningful difference to the lives of our students and their communities.”

Cullinane described the programme as one of the most strategically important initiatives for NZMA in 2010 and beyond.  Marjorie Ramsay has been appointed to the role of Youth Training Programmes Manager and will lead the scheme within NZMA.