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In this Issue
Getting learner activity back on track
Te Pūkenga update
Sharing the success of our learners
Resources to help learners avoid plagiarism

Welcome to Careerforce's February update
Tena koutou

Ka tangi hotuhotu ana te kotahi, ka tangi hotuhotu te katoa.
The pain felt by one of us, is the pain felt by us all.

It has been devastating to see the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle as it wreaked havoc across much of Te Ika-a-Māui, North Island. Our thoughts and aroha are with our own kaimahi, our employers, ākonga (learners) and their whānau who have been severely impacted in these unsettling times. We cannot begin to imagine the distress this must be causing; however, we are here to provide support as one united whānau of Careerforce across Aotearoa. Our priority is your wellbeing, so if you need support, please reach out to your closest Careerforce contact.

As per the following story, a key priority for us right now is around learner activity, and ensuring our learners are progressing towards completion. I encourage you to regularly review the progress of your own staff that are enrolled in training programmes with us, and consider what additional supports we can put in place between us to support their learning journey.

Ngā mihi nui

Rod Bentham
Executive Director
Te Pūkenga, trading as Careerforce

 
Getting learner activity back on track
Over the latter part of 2022, and as the Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) came to an end, we saw a significant surge in new enrolments. A shared priority is to now ensure that these new learners become active in their learning. What we know is that if learners become active within the first three months and establish some momentum, they are significantly more likely to progress through their learning and complete their qualification.

As we are funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), a critical performance metric for Careerforce is our ‘activity rate’, and which provides reassurance to TEC that our enrolled learners are appropriately progressing towards completion. It is a requirement within our training agreements that trainees achieve credits within any ten month period, and apprentices complete a training module within any five month period. While we had put a pause on this process through the worst of Covid to provide some relief to our employers and learners, we will be reintroducing the automated processes for 2023 enrolments, and that will see learners placed on hold if they do not meet these activity requirements, and subsequently withdrawn if there is continued non-activity. Withdrawal is always a last resort, and we are keen to work with you to consider what additional mutual supports we can extend that may support learner success.

While we naturally want all our learners to successfully complete their programme, it is evident that we have a group of learners who are not appropriately progressing through their training programme, and where intervention is required. Over the coming weeks, we will be communicating with a group of learners who enrolled prior to 2022 and who have not achieved any credits on their training programme – these learners will be withdrawn if no credits are achieved and registered by 31 March 2023.
 
We have also identified a group of learners who have achieved less than 30% of their programme credits but who did not achieve any credits across 2022- we will be advising these learners that they are being placed on hold, and will be withdrawn 3 months later if no further credits are achieved. Our field team will be in touch if this affects you, and also to review your 2022 enrolments, and identify learners where intervention may be required.
 
Te Pūkenga update
Careerforce became a business division of Te Pūkenga Work Based Learning Limited on 1 September 2022, and subsequently a business division of Te Pūkenga on 1 January 2023.

As you will likely have noticed, we entered a period of co-branding with Te Pūkenga, and this was simply via the addition of the Te Pūkenga logo across all our touchpoints. The next stage in our transition journey is a continued period of co-branding, but in the Te Pūkenga ‘look and feel’. Accordingly, over the next few months, you will see the gradual introduction of the Te Pūkenga green across Careerforce communications and engagements. This is certainly nothing to be alarmed by, and the reality is that nothing else materially changes for our employers and learners for the time being. Eventually, legacy brands such as Careerforce will be phased out in a move to single Te Pūkenga branding, but no timeframes have been put on this yet.
Funding to support employers is available until December 2023
A reminder that Apprenticeship Boost remains available to employers of qualifying apprentices until 31 December 2023. More information on Apprenticeship Boost can be found here
 
Sharing the success of our learners
Former sports reporter finds his calling, supporting the elderly
Apprentice overcomes challenges to help people with disabilities lead better lives
Frank Malley discovered his true passion, supporting our elders in a role he was born to do.  While Covid ended his career as a sports reporter, a role he held for over 17 years, he is now finding fulfilment in the rewarding care and support sector.

A few challenges resulting from the pandemic, led Frank to pursue a role at Switzer, a rest home, hospital and secure dementia unit in Kaitaia.  The former writer landed a paid role coordinating the volunteers, and in 2023 started a full-time role as a diversional therapy assistant.

Frank is also well on his way to qualifying in his new chosen career, having almost completed his apprenticeship in Diversional Therapy with support from his employer and Careerforce.

Fe Hopgood leads a team supporting people with disabilities who are striving to be independent and live meaningful lives.
With thirteen years’ experience working in the disability sector, she understands the struggles and discrimination these people can face.

Thanks to a Careerforce supported apprenticeship, and commitment from her employer NZ Community Living, Fe has completed her own challenging journey. Fe had her own hurdles to overcome to recently graduate with an Apprenticeship in Community Facilitation (Disability Support).

Originally from the Philippines and with English as a second language, she has felt at a disadvantage. Navigating the digital world has also been a battle for the Team Leader.

Above: Careerforce apprenticeship advisor Margaret-Anne Cole with Fe Hopgood

 
 
Learner insights
Late 2022, we completed our sixth annual employer satisfaction survey, and we are currently analysing the results, identifying any recurring issue themes, and most importantly, determining what actions we will implement to address the feedback provided.

Balancing out your feedback, and running in parallel are our graduate and withdrawal surveys, and to date, we have now had over 6000 completions to these surveys. Via the graduate survey, we are able to identify improvements that would have better supported their learner journey, and via the withdrawal survey, we are able to consider what more we could have done to have prevented withdrawals. As with the employer survey, the results are analysed closely, and improvements identified. In next month’s newsletter, we will share some of the topline results, and some of the learner feedback.

Resource helps learners avoid plagiarism
Your original words, is a free Careerforce resource to help you make sure that learners' assessments are their own work.

Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s work as your own. In assessments this is seen as answers that have been copied in part, or in full, from the learning material. For assessment to be authentic the trainees must show their own knowledge and skills.

Careerforce doesn't allow copying or plagiarism. Copying answers from the learning material doesn't demonstrate knowledge or understanding and is not valid or authentic evidence.


This short resource helps learners consider ways to ensure that they provide their original work and avoid plagiarism.

This is just one resource from a series of resources developed to support learners in their study.  Check out the full list of Learning to Learn resources here.
 
The New Zealand Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapists Inc. (NZSDRT Inc.) is excited to be able to offer two exclusive online workshops to help support Careerforce diversional therapy apprentices.

Some learners tell us that they find it challenging to work through the module information and evidence requirements in modules APP125 and APP126. These online sessions will help to give apprentices added confidence and provide a consistent message on best practice.

The following sessions are run by NZSDRT Inc. via Zoom:
  • APP125: It's about diversional and recreational therapy
    Friday 17 March 3.00pm-4.00pm
  • APP126: Develop diversional and recreational therapy care plans
    Thursday 30 March 4.00pm-5.00pm

Cost to attend each session: free to NZSDRT members, $35 for non members. 

For more information, please contact Anne.Meyer@careerforce.org.nz

To enrol in a session, apprentices can follow the link below.
The Zoom link will be sent to them shortly before to the event.

Introducing the Consumer, peer support and lived experience (CPSLE) training and professional development grant
Te Pou is pleased to offer a professional development grant for consumer, peer support and lived experience (CPSLE) workers in mental health and addiction.
The grant will help cover the costs to take part in a learning activity (course or training programme) for existing CPSLE workers to develop professional knowledge and skills that enhance their CPSLE role or career. This may include reference to either or both the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi or the CPSLE competencies.

Since mid 2020, the Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) has covered enrolment costs, but this fund closed at the end of 2022, and enrolment fees again apply. We encourage you to look into this grant as it is likely that some of your staff may qualify.

Applications for the CPSLE Training and professional development grants open on Thursday 2 March and close at midday on Friday 31 March 2023.

For more information, and to apply, visit Te Pou's website.
 
Does your organisation have a vacancy? List yours for free!
If you have a vacancy, make sure you don't miss out. Jobs for Good is a free job portal connecting employers in the health and wellbeing, social and community, cleaning and urban pest management sectors with jobseekers looking for meaningful employment. Jobs for Good is free, it’s easy to list vacancies, and it’s super-targeted to support workers.
Please use the most up-to-date Training Agreements and other forms
It is important that workplaces use the most up to date Training Agreements.
Current versions of Training Agreements can be accessed from the forms page on the Careerforce website.  It's important that you use the latest form, as these documents are frequently updated. This also applies to other forms, such as the Organisation Registration Form, or the Standalone Unit Standard Application.
Popular links
Find out more about:
  • Free Counselling for all Careerforce | Te Pūkenga learners >>More
  • Careerforce Qualification Programmes >> More
  • Gateway and Vocational Pathways >>More
  • How to contact your local Careerforce Workplace Advisor >>More
 
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