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Scott Bregmen, teaching rhythm and timing to his CVLS studentsSpecial successIt was an acknowledgement of the difference we make to people’slives that earned us increased funding through the Special EducationSupplementary Grant (SSG) fund. This funding was announced in2012 and is to support learners with medium to high special needs.Our Community and Vocational Learning Skills (CVLS) programmehas been very successful for some time. One of the tutors on theprogramme, Scott Bregmen, was recognised in 2010 with a Te AkoAotearoa Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award.The majority of students who have studied on the CVLS programmetypically have no or very few formal secondary school qualifications.Many have major challenges to surmount. For these students,participation in tertiary education is a significant achievement. OurCVLS students not only participate throughout the year, but all havegone on to successfully complete their qualification.The new funding of $136k enables us to provide tutorial supportin the classroom so specific learning requirements are met andlearners can fully participate in their studies. With the extra fundingsupport and SAC funding, we are offering another programme atLevel 1 from 2013 to meet the high demand from the Wellingtonregion for programmes of this type for learners with special needs.International Industry Certifications TrainingOur School of Information Technology was officially recognised asthe first National Academy for CompTIA throughout New Zealand.Covering a number of service and support roles in the IT industrythis is a valuable opportunity for our students. They will be able togain vendor-neutral international certifications confirming they meetindustry needs.Through this new certification employers will recognise that WelTecstudents leave WelTec with foundation level knowledge and skills toperform IT roles.As a National CompTIA Academy we plan to run ‘train the trainer’sessions for other educational institutes, industries and businesses.Close ties with MaoriIn 2012 we asked Professor Rawiri Taonui, Te Ara Poutama from theFaculty of Maori Development at Auckland University of Technology,to review our approach to not just the education we deliver to Maoristudents but also our engagement with Maori communities.Professor Taonui’s report commended our Tamaiti Whangaiprogramme of student support and recognised our high level of goodwill and commitment toward making a difference for Maori students(there is more detail on Tamaiti Whangai later in this report). He alsocommented on our good relationship with mana whenua in the HuttValley. He noted the 2012 renewal of a Memorandum of Understandingwith Te Runanganui o Taranaki Whanui first signed in 2008. This is animportant connection for us. We also signed an Memorandum withWaiwhetu Marae in 2012, recognising the marae as the hub of TeAtiawa and formalising our relationship with them.The number of young Maori entering tertiary education, especially atplaces like WelTec, will continue to increase. The way we engage withMaori and support them to achieve their educational goals is critical toour success, as well as theirs.Graduate Exhibition SuccessContent: Raarangi Uupoko was a remarkable exhibition of work from30 graduates of our Bachelor of Creative Technologies, held at theNew Zealand Academy of Fine Arts Galleries in Wellington. WellingtonMayor Celia Wade-Brown launched the exhibition on the eve of TheHobbit premiere congratulating graduates on their achievements, andhighlighting the work opportunities for graduates in Wellington.Bachelor of Creative Technologies students are encouraged tospecialise in their chosen field whilst developing skills that lead themto work anywhere in this exciting and innovative industry – an industrywhich is particularly important to the economy of the Wellington region.In this degree programme students set goals, collaborate and areencouraged to lead projects. The exhibition was itself a remarkableproject, attracting positive attention from employers, as well as visitors.24 | WELLINGTON INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY