Overview & Next Steps
Over the next three years the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) will be reviewing all qualifications throughout New Zealand. This review is called the ‘Targeted Review of Qualifications’, or, in government speak, the “TRoQ”. The objective is to reduce the number of qualifications and make it simpler for employers and learners.
NZQA has decided to review qualifications in the hairdressing industry this year. For the hairdressing industry at the moment there are 67 qualifications, and it is anticipated that the industry will benefit considerably from a substantial reduction in the number of qualifications. The goal will be to ensure that the qualifications that remain are the best fit with the current and future needs of our industry.
As part of this process NZQA has appointed consultant Graeme Hall to facilitate the review of hairdressing qualifications. The views of the hairdressing industry are critical to this process, and HITO will be working closely with Graeme to ensure the views of industry are well represented. Over the next few months a range of opportunities will be available for salon owners, stylists, apprentices, suppliers and students to provide feedback on the suitability and relevance of the hairdressing qualifications currently available.
HITO CEO Erica Cumming believes this is a great chance for people interested in training and education in the hairdressing industry to be involved.
“It’s a rare opportunity for people to have their say on what the future hairdressing qualifications will look like, and how these different qualifications could ‘fit’ together to create a real career pathway that provides learning opportunities for everyone in the hairdressing industry,” says Erica.
Those who have strong views on current and future skill needs and qualifications in our industry need to stay tuned for more on the TRoQ at www.hito.org.nz
How will the TRoQ work?
NZQA has appointed Graeme Hall as an independent facilitator. Together with Graeme, key stakeholders will discuss and decide on the process for the review. Graeme has identified the first steps as:
1. Creating a working group made up of representatives from all stakeholders. Stakeholders include HITO, Institutes of technology and polytechnics, private providers, industry (salons including both NZARH and non-NZARH members), NZARH, clients and learners. Graeme will be asking all stakeholders to nominate their own representatives for the working group.
2. Creating a beginning consultation document. All stakeholders (including HITO) have been asked to write a short summary on their views on the purpose, projected outcomes, process, constraints and key issues relating to the review. Graeme will put these together with some background information for all stakeholders to think about.
3. Holding a first meeting of the stakeholder group. This will include some information from NZQA and a chance for everybody to talk about the process and issues.
It will be the responsibility of the representatives on the stakeholder group to communicate information to their own sector, and seek feedback and thoughts for the next steps. A plan for the rest of the review needs to be developed in three months. The review, with agreed group recommendations, needs to be completed by the end of the year.
What is HITO’s role?
HITO is a ‘mandatory’ stakeholder; meaning they need to be included in the process because they are responsible for industry training standards. So HITO will need to communicate the views of industry relating to training. HITO will also be helping Graeme in a secretariat type-role to provide information and help where needed.
Who is industry?
“Industry” includes: employers, employees, professional stylists, trainees, industry associations (NZARH) and related bodies such as product companies and suppliers. Industry does not include education providers (institutes of technology and polytechnics, and private education providers). While education providers are a very important stakeholder in the hairdressing sector, they are primarily in the business of education and fall under the ‘educators’ stakeholder group.
What are people in the industry supposed to do?
Everyone working in the hairdressing industry has the right to contribute to the TRoQ process. HITO wants to hear the views of as much of the industry as possible, so will be looking at lots of different ways to do that. In the meantime HITO has put information on the HITO website and in letters being sent out to industry. HITO hopes that industry will get really involved in this important opportunity to decide about the future of qualifications in our industry.
What next?
HITO will shortly be putting their summary on the purpose, process, outcomes and issues relating to the TRoQ. This will be based on feedback and research gathered from industry over recent years. This will be available for everyone to read on the HITO website. HITO will be in touch with any new information and updates.
This is YOUR opportunity to have your say about what learners and employers need from education and training. Make sure to speak up so we can make sure industry needs are met.
