ITPs sharing data to improve education

“Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) are sharing data about enrolments, finances and facilities to improve the education that they offer to students, employers and the wider community,” said Dave Guerin, ITP NZ executive director.

“A new benchmarking tool involving all 20 ITPs will allow comparisons of activity down to a great level of detail.

“Our members will use the new benchmarking throughout their institutions. Councils will use it to compare the performance of their institution with others, and explore the reasons behind the differences. Management will investigate more specific issues of staffing, facilities usage and student achievement.

“The benchmarking tool will support richer discussions within our sector about how we do things, and how we can do them better.

“ITP NZ is committed to supporting members to use the benchmarking tool to better understand cost structures and results. We will work with them and the tertiary Education Commission to ensure effective implementation of the project.”

All ITPs have only just become involved and initial results are being tested by them. Full implementation will not occur until 2009.