Hon Dr Michael Cullen Deputy Prime Minister, Minister ofFinance, Minister for Tertiary Education, Leader of theHouse
18 February 2006 Speech Notes
Opening of newCentral Hawkes Bay College Technology Centre
CentralHawkes Bay College, Tavistock Road, Waipukurau
Goodmorning. It's a pleasure to open a facility here today that represents a very significant investment in the future ofthe students who will go through Central Hawkes Bay collegein the decades ahead. As such it is also a critical investment in the central Hawkes Bay region, since it isabundantly clear that the economy of this region, like anyother, will be increasingly based upon having a workforcethat is technologically literate.
As every parent ofteenagers knows, young people are very adept consumers ofmodern technology, especially the kind of communicationstechnology that has them up all night texting their friends.What is more important is that they become masters of thattechnology, able to participate in an economy whereinnovative technology coupled with a skilled workforce arewhat's needed to give us the edge in our markets.
Some ofyou may remember a time when technical subjects wereregarded as poor cousins of the more elite arts and puresciences that would prepare a young person to be a lawyer ordoctor. I for one am happy that that notion has been turnedon its head in the last decade or so.
This $2.0 millionfacility is a flagship for a future which demands greaterproficiency in technical subjects. It will cater for a broadspectrum of courses, including computer design, food andnutrition, textiles, wood and metal workshops, graphics,electronics and culinary arts. It is important to note thatthese subjects equip students for careers in some of ourmost exciting growth industries, such as the multi-billiondollar food and beverages sector, our niche manufacturingsector, the film industry and the hospitalityindustry.
What we know is that our economic future dependsupon our ability to be more productive in these and othergrowth industries. Hence a good grounding in technology isessential to almost any career path.
Who would havethought a decade ago that this country could produceblockbuster Hollywood movies, that our fashion designerswould exhibit their designs on the finest catwalks ofEurope, that Kiwi chefs would run top restaurants in Londonand that our wines would be satisfy the finest palates inthe world?
Our successes today on the world stage willinspire students to take a closer look at their educationoptions. The technology centre gives them that chance toappreciate the opportunities that are out there as thiseconomy transforms itself.
This investment is alsoevidence of the wider commitment the government has toimproving quality across the sector. We are working hard toensure students achieve better outcomes at every level.
Asyou may know I am currently focused on a major review offunding mechanisms for the tertiary sector. This isimportant for your students today so that those who entertertiary institutions in the future will have moreconfidence in the quality of courses they choose. It isvital that we have a tertiary sector which providesconsistent higher quality education that meets internationalbenchmarks and fulfils the expectations of students andemployers.
I expect to be in a position to makeannouncements on the direction for the tertiary sector nextmonth.
I know the facility that is being opened today isbut stage one of a major redevelopment that will also seefour laboratories reinstated. Once completed later thisyear at a total cost of $3.5 million the new facilities willserve the community well for many years.
Mostimportantly Central Hawkes Bay College will be well equippedto meet the challenges of providing high quality educationin the 21st century. I applaud your efforts to improvelearning outcomes for students and your commitment toinvolving local businesses and the wider community inpreparing students for the real world.
I note that parentsin this region are clearly recognising that the college istaking the right steps to meet the aspirations they have fortheir children. Your roll has grown significantly over thelast five years.
This facility is solid evidence of aneducation institution that is in touch with the diverseregion it services so I would like to congratulate RichardShumacher and the staff and parents of the College on theirvision and their efforts in seeing this project through tocompletion. Congratulations also go to Judd DouganArchitects and Waipukurau Construction Limited who havebuilt what I am sure you will agree is a very finefacility.
Thankyou.
ENDS
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