WelTec Student Numbers Up
Enrolments at Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) at the end of March were up nine percent on the same time last year. WelTec has enrolled 6,949 people, or 3,276 Equivalent Full Time Students (EFTS) in comparison to 3,002 EFTS in 2006.
CEO Dr Linda Sissons says that this confirms people are making considered decisions about tertiary education.
"Even with employment being easy to find, young people are recognising the value of gaining a tertiary qualification as a foundation for the future," says Dr Sissons.
"Over the past year we have put huge effort into building young people's awareness of the career opportunities in the technical and vocational fields that are WelTec's focus. We have also worked with our 22 active advisory groups to make sure that what we offer meets employers' needs and future industry trends. And we've increased the opportunities to study while working.
It is particularly pleasing that much of the growth is in higher, degree and diploma, level programmes," says Dr Sissons.
Further enrolments in semesters two and three are anticipated to contribute to a total of 4,500 EFTS by the end of the year, which represents over 10,000 individuals studying part-time and full-time.
Enrolments in information technology programmes are up by 18 percent on this time last year, which will be a relief to employers says the Programme Manager for WelTec's Bachelor of Information Technology Degree Robert Sutcliffe.
"There is probably a number of factors encouraging people back to IT," says Mr Sutcliffe.
" There is a huge shortage of professionals to fill vacancies and this will be affecting the salaries offered. The ‘geek' perception of IT is breaking down and there is a growing understanding that IT careers are about a lot more than sitting in front of a computer. They involve relating to people, problem solving and having an important impact on business."
WelTec's student satisfaction survey results in 2006 continue to be positive. Students' satisfaction with their programmes was high and overall satisfaction has increased from previous years with students particularly rating the quality teaching and the supportiveness of tutors highly.
CEO Dr Linda Sissons says that this confirms people are making considered decisions about tertiary education.
"Even with employment being easy to find, young people are recognising the value of gaining a tertiary qualification as a foundation for the future," says Dr Sissons.
"Over the past year we have put huge effort into building young people's awareness of the career opportunities in the technical and vocational fields that are WelTec's focus. We have also worked with our 22 active advisory groups to make sure that what we offer meets employers' needs and future industry trends. And we've increased the opportunities to study while working.
It is particularly pleasing that much of the growth is in higher, degree and diploma, level programmes," says Dr Sissons.
Further enrolments in semesters two and three are anticipated to contribute to a total of 4,500 EFTS by the end of the year, which represents over 10,000 individuals studying part-time and full-time.
Enrolments in information technology programmes are up by 18 percent on this time last year, which will be a relief to employers says the Programme Manager for WelTec's Bachelor of Information Technology Degree Robert Sutcliffe.
"There is probably a number of factors encouraging people back to IT," says Mr Sutcliffe.
" There is a huge shortage of professionals to fill vacancies and this will be affecting the salaries offered. The ‘geek' perception of IT is breaking down and there is a growing understanding that IT careers are about a lot more than sitting in front of a computer. They involve relating to people, problem solving and having an important impact on business."
WelTec's student satisfaction survey results in 2006 continue to be positive. Students' satisfaction with their programmes was high and overall satisfaction has increased from previous years with students particularly rating the quality teaching and the supportiveness of tutors highly.