Under the Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill, the polytechnic is due to become a subsidiary of the new New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology for two years beginning in April 2020; however it hopes to retain its autonomy after that time.
A report from chief executive Phil Ker to Otago Polytechnic council, due to be discussed tomorrow, said some of Otago's ventures were ''unlikely'' to be permitted to continue beyond 2022 if the model went ahead.
Among them was EduBits, the microcredentialling system which the report described as ''an established brand in the market'' which had already received international recognition.
Others were the ''I am capable'' programme, focusing on ''soft skills'' and qualifications provided via Capable NZ.
''All three of these areas are points of difference for Otago Polytechnic and provide significant competitive advantage, but it is unlikely that points of difference of this nature will be permitted in the new world,'' the report said.
About 400 full-time equivalent students are enrolled via Capable NZ, which takes both part-time and full-time students and enables people to have their skills measured against an existing qualification.
Polytechnic chief operating officer Philip Cullen clarified that when it came to Capable NZ, the polytechnic's main worry was not that it would cease after 2022 but that it would become diluted and spread around other institutions.
Investments Otago had made in the initiatives would not be lost; though there was a possibility potential revenue streams would not be realised.
However the polytechnic would keep developing its courses and qualifications as though they would go ahead, Mr Cullen said.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins can choose to retain subsidiary boards of particular institutions if NZIST makes that recommendation, something Mr Ker has said Otago Polytechnic is aiming for.
Mr Ker's report, which said that Otago could become the site of several Centres of Vocational Excellence, will be discussed by polytechnic councillors at the next council meeting tomorrow. Submissions on the Reform of Vocational Education Bill close on October 13.
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Once the polytechs are destroyed by centralisation (you do not mix good eggs with bad eggs and get a nice omelette!), the Wellington technocrats have their sights on the universities. Change is needed, but let the market decide, not some faceless person or committee in Wellington.
Total scaremongering mate. All Polytechs are guilty of fleecing overseas students on poor qualifications at the expense of $$$. All Polytechs are guilty of running courses not fit for employment purposes. There are too many "gap" courses in frizbee throwing. Its time for a national standard with a united recognised qualification - geared to employment. I hope universities are next and we can go back to the original 'University of NZ' qualification. If you consider our institutes to be eggs mate then remember that all eggs eventually go rotten, like fruit. The only egg heads are those opposed to change.
As for the "market to decide" - we had 9 years of that recently and look what it did to NZ. 90 Billion of borrowing, homelessness, state house sell offs & near privatisation, no wage rises, police numbers slashed and highway patrols removed and appalling EQ repairs in Chch dictated to by your free market. I suggest you come to my Commonsense Polytech while you can.