No tuition fees on West Coast to continue

The West Coast of the South Island is expecting an influx of students and an injection into the West Coast economy following a decision by Tai Poutini Polytechnics Council to continue it’s ‘No Tuition Fees’ Policy in 2009.

Full-time students at Tai Poutini’s Greymouth, Reefton, Westport and Hokitika campuses will be eligible for the scheme which last year injected approximately $8 million into the West Coast economy.

Tai Poutini Polytechnic offers a broad range of programmes including outdoor recreation, jade carving, chef, tourism, nanny, civil construction and business.

All of these programmes have a strong link to the unique West Coast region where they are based.

As well as West Coast programmes, Tai Poutini Polytechnic also offer options in Auckland, Christchurch and Wanaka, and now has a solid base of some 2270 equivalent full-time students.

Tai Poutini Polytechnic chief executive Paul Wilson says the council’s decision will not just benefit students, but the entire West Coast community, including employers.

Students are only required to pay an allowance in the event of materials charges, the increase in which for 2009 are capped at no more than 10 per cent or $300 – whichever is the smaller – across any individual programme.

Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s aim is to ensure its courses and programmes provide real linkages to employment or future training at higher levels as well as filling skill shortages on a regional and national level.