Category: Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

Auto Added by WPeMatico

Posted on

More learners seek futures through online skills training

Source: Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

Posted on 27 February 2024

Interest in online vocational education continues to increase with specialist distance and online learning provider, Open Polytechnic, a business division of Te Pūkenga, receiving over 11% more full-time student enrolments so far in 2024, compared with the same period last year.  

This is part of an overall growth in equivalent full-time student (EFTS) enrolments for campus-based and online divisions of the training sector, with a 7.4% increase recorded nationwide.  

“The continued growth in enrolments is encouraging, and indicative of more learners seeking the flexibility that online provision through Open Polytechnic affords, to choose how and when they study,” says Open Polytechnic Executive Director Academic Services, Neil Carroll.  

“It is especially pleasing that we are seeing this increase across all levels of study and also for our priority learners (Māori, Pacific Peoples and people with disabilities),” he says. 

Open Polytechnic, which offers a wide range of qualifications from certificate to degree level, has seen sustained enrolment growth over several years. Most recently, a move to increase the frequency of course offerings to monthly intakes across most of Open Polytechnic’s business degree offerings has offered greater enrolment opportunities to learners across the country.

“We know learners want to connect to find out more about how learning can fit around their lives and the lives of their whānau,” says Te Pūkenga Tumuaki |Chief Executive Gus Gilmore.  

“Whether you’re currently in-work and looking to expand your horizons or a school leaver who wants to connect with a rewarding career, very often calling our helpful enrolment teams is the beginning of a really strong and successful student journey,” says Mr Gilmore.  

Head to the Open Polytechnic website for more information on the range of qualifications available: www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz

Posted on

More learners seek careers through Open Polytechnic

Source: Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

Posted on 27 February 2024

Interest in online vocational education continues to increase with specialist distance and online learning provider, Open Polytechnic, a business division of Te Pūkenga, receiving over 11% more full-time student enrolments so far in 2024, compared with the same period last year.  

This is part of an overall growth in equivalent full-time student (EFTS) enrolments for campus-based and online divisions of the training sector, with a 7.4% increase recorded nationwide.  

“The continued growth in enrolments is encouraging, and indicative of more learners seeking the flexibility that online provision through Open Polytechnic affords, to choose how and when they study,” says Open Polytechnic Executive Director Academic Services, Neil Carroll.  

“It is especially pleasing that we are seeing this increase across all levels of study and also for our priority learners (Māori, Pacific Peoples and people with disabilities),” he says. 

Open Polytechnic, which offers a wide range of qualifications from certificate to degree level, has seen sustained enrolment growth over several years. Most recently, a move to increase the frequency of course offerings to monthly intakes across most of Open Polytechnic’s business degree offerings has offered greater enrolment opportunities to learners across the country.

“We know learners want to connect to find out more about how learning can fit around their lives and the lives of their whānau,” says Te Pūkenga Tumuaki |Chief Executive Gus Gilmore.  

“Whether you’re currently in-work and looking to expand your horizons or a school leaver who wants to connect with a rewarding career, very often calling our helpful enrolment teams is the beginning of a really strong and successful student journey,” says Mr Gilmore.  

Head to the Open Polytechnic website for more information on the range of qualifications available: www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz

Posted on

Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga congratulates Dr Caroline Seelig on King’s New Year Honour

Source: Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

Posted on 23 January 2024

Open Polytechnic, a business division of Te Pūkenga, congratulates Dr Caroline Seelig who was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2024 King’s New Year Honours.

Dr Seelig joined Open Polytechnic as Chief Executive in 2009 and completed her leadership tenure with the organisation in 2022.

The King’s New Year Honour citation notes that Dr Seelig has made a significant contribution to vocational education and distance learning for more than 30 years.

The citation also covered Dr Seelig’s significant career achievements, saying “Throughout her career, Dr Seelig has demonstrated a commitment to improving educational access and outcomes for students, and has received international recognition for her achievements in the open and distance learning field. She served as Chief Executive of Open Polytechnic of New Zealand for 14 years until December 2022, during which time it grew to become the country’s largest polytechnic, maintaining high learner satisfaction and steadily improving education performance to world class levels for distance learning.” 

The citation further notes that Dr Seelig “led the development of ground-breaking education technology tools, including the introduction of the iQualify online learning platform. For her services to open, distance and flexible learning, she was made an Honorary Fellow of the Commonwealth of Learning in 2013, and in 2020 she was appointed as New Zealand’s representative on its Board of Governors. She is a well-respected thought leader in her field of expertise, having published work in academic journals and spoken at international events. Dr Seelig is an Ako Aotearoa Board member, a member of Te Rautaki Mātauranga with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and has twice served on the Board for the Hutt Chamber of Commerce.”

Alan Cadwallader, Executive Director Open Polytechnic | Te Pukenga, says “During her time at Open Polytechnic, Dr Seelig was tireless in leading our organisation to achieve world class results for open and distance learning, and it is with pride that we acknowledge the recognition she has received in the 2024 King’s New Year Honours.”

Posted on

Cambridge family gets the wheels in motion for gluten-free food business

Source: Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

Posted on 15 December 2023

Sabine Lang’s new gluten-free food business in the Waikato, Lang’s Little Bakery, not only provides for her family’s dietary needs it’s also giving those in the wider community with gluten intolerances a chance to try a range of delectable baked treats.

Sabine’s daughters aged 21 and 17 have health issues, including one having coeliac disease, so in 2022, instead of renewing her contract as an English Teacher, Sabine decided to set up a gluten-free bakery business, with her family.

Hannah and Sabine

“Both our daughters’ high health needs led to the conclusion that the best way to support them would be to run our own business,” Sabine says.

Despite running her translation business both in Germany where Sabine is from and New Zealand for almost 30 years and being an English Teacher from 2021 until early 2022, Sabine did not feel equipped for “such a huge task” and the responsibility of running a food business.

“I had never before dealt with payroll, GST, food business registration and the like,” Sabine says. 

“There was a lot at stake. I am not naturally very entrepreneurial and felt I needed guidance and upskilling,” Sabine says. 

“Pulling this off from scratch straight away was too daunting, so I decided to upskill first through Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga.” 

Sabine enrolled in online study in the New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 4) at Open Polytechnic | Te Pukenga in 2022 so she could upskill in order to set up the new business.

“They happened to offer a study programme that’s content was a perfect fit for me,” Sabine says.

When life gave the Lang family lemons, they made delicious gluten-free lemon meringue eclairs.

In April 2022, Sabine’s eldest daughter, Hannah, was diagnosed with coeliac disease four weeks into her pastry cheffing degree.

“She was devastated to have to abandon her studies,” Sabine says.

Sabine’s other daughter, Eva, who is 17, has other health needs that also prevent her from working a “regular” job or attending school.

“So, one day, my husband and I simply decided to do our own thing to help both our girls gain employment and learn skills that will enable them to make a living in their futures,” Sabine says.

“We are kind of providing them with a stepping-stone into working life.”

Kids Health NZ says that an estimated 1 in 70 or approximately 70,000 New Zealanders may have coeliac disease. These people require a gluten-free diet, free from the risk of being contaminated by wheat, barley, oats or rye. 

According to Sabine, the market for delicious gluten-free baking products is “huge”.

“We have always loved to bake in our family, including baking celebration cakes for friends and friends of friends for many years, so the decision didn’t seem too out of character for us,” Sabine says.

They started looking for suitable premises for Lang’s Little Bakery, but with lease rates expensive in Cambridge in the Waikato, they decided it would be more viable to buy a custom-made food trailer.

“We are beyond excited to have moved into our beautiful trailer recently,” Sabine says.

“We had been test-baking in our home kitchen for over a year, and to now bake in our actual commercial trailer kitchen for all our new customers feels great!“`

The Lang family has been working hard to find and modify recipes that produce cookies, cupcakes, cakes and other baked treats that are so delicious, people won’t even know they are gluten-free.

Sabine is the director of Lang’s Little Bakery. Hannah is the head baker, with extensive baking experience. She is also in charge of the social media marketing.

Eva has also baked from a young age and is learning accounting skills, while also helping out in the kitchen.

Sabine’s husband Oliver works as a Structural Engineer during the week but is keen to help out with Lang’s Little Bakery when he can, including when they go to Saturday markets.

“It’s our ultimate joy when we put smiles on people’s faces with our baking,” Sabine says.

Lang’s Little Bakery managed to make someone very happy recently, by serving them a piece of gluten-free custard square.

“She hadn’t had one in the 20 years since she’d been diagnosed with coeliac disease,” Sabine says.

“Those little moments are priceless, and we can’t wait to create more of those.”

Sabine would’ve never been able to start her business without going through the New Zealand Certificate in Business study programme.

“It has given me both the skills and the confidence to make this dream a reality,” Sabine says.

“Studying is incredibly rewarding, and there are countless courses out there waiting for you.”

Keep an eye out for Lang’s Little Bakery at the Saturday Cambridge Farmer’s Market or check out their website at: https://www.langslittlebakery.co.nz/  or on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok: @langslittlebakery.

For more information on the New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 4) offered through online study, visit the Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga website: