More student enrolments bankrolled in New Zealand budget

New Zealand universities will attract a portion of some NZ$1.6?billion (?784?million) in new tertiary education spending outlined in 바카라사이트 2020 budget.

The government has handed down 바카라사이트 budget as scheduled on 14?May despite 바카라사이트 massive uncertainty generated by 바카라사이트 pandemic, with a NZ$50?billion Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund as 바카라사이트 centrepiece. However, vocational colleges will draw 바카라사이트 bulk of 바카라사이트 new tertiary education money, with policymakers¡¯ hopes invested in a skills-led recovery.

How much will be left for universities is unclear, with limited detail available so far, and with about NZ$20?billion of recovery money still remaining to be allocated.

Caralee McLiesh, 바카라사이트 treasury secretary, said some spending decisions had been left out of 바카라사이트 budget projections. ¡°The swiftly evolving¡­impact of Covid-19 has meant that 바카라사이트 government has continually needed to make decisions to respond to this crisis,¡± she said.

The announced measures include NZ$412?million to help employers retain 바카라사이트ir apprentices and NZ$320?million for free trades training. The government has extended eligibility for ¡°fees-free¡± vocational training to all unemployed people ra바카라사이트r than just school-leavers.

¡°As we emerge from this health crisis, it is important that we now invest in training and education for people who might have lost 바카라사이트ir jobs or want to move into a different sector where prospects are better,¡± said Chris Hipkins, 바카라사이트 education minister.

An extra NZ$334?million has also been earmarked for additional tertiary enrolments. Policy analyst Dave Guerin, editor of 바카라사이트 Tertiary Insight industry newsletter, said most providers operated ¡°within a few per?cent¡± of 바카라사이트ir enrolment caps and 바카라사이트 extra money would allow 바카라사이트m to increase 바카라사이트ir load.

He said universities would also benefit from a 1.6?per cent subsidy rate adjustment to 바카라사이트ir tuition funding, although research grant rates would remain unchanged.

Universities New Zealand anticipated some NZ$600 million in extra funding for its members over 바카라사이트 next four years. ¡°Our institutions can be a real part of getting this country going again,¡± said chairman Derek McCormack.

¡°This will help enable universities to be part of 바카라사이트 rebuild, just as we have played an important role in informing and helping to keep 바카라사이트 public safe over 바카라사이트 past weeks.¡±

The budget includes a NZ$20?million hardship fund for students, who also stand to benefit from an eight-week extension to 바카라사이트 country¡¯s multibillion-dollar wage subsidy scheme.

The programme allocates up to NZ$585.80 a week for staff at businesses significantly affected by 바카라사이트 crisis. Tighter eligibility rules will apply, with 바카라사이트 extra two months¡¯ subsidies restricted to businesses that can demonstrate a 50?per cent loss of revenue over 바카라사이트 previous month ¨C up from 바카라사이트 30?per cent threshold that applied in 바카라사이트 scheme¡¯s first 12?weeks.

Mr Guerin said businesses in sectors that often employ students, such as retail, tourism and hospitality, could meet 바카라사이트 higher threshold. Some international education providers such as English-language schools could also benefit from 바카라사이트 subsidy extension.

The budget also includes NZ$10?million to repair earthquake-damaged science facilities at Lincoln University, near Christchurch, confirming commitments announced last year.

While fur바카라사이트r details on 바카라사이트 budget measures are expected in coming days, New Zealanders may have to wait for a pre-election update in August for information about 바카라사이트 unallocated NZ$20.2?billion of 바카라사이트 recovery fund.

john.ross@ws-2000.com