Earlier this year the New Zealand government announced additional funding for specific tertiary degree programmes including science, agriculture and physiotherapy.
While these sectors do make important contributions to our society is this the best use of the education dollar?
Is tertiary education the best value for money for society to fund or should be we thinking more broadly and funding more trades such as plumbers, builders, electricians etc?
Are we encouraging too many people to attend university?
With high levels of student debt is more funding for tertiary places wise? For example in UK it is being reported that graduates in some areas have poor job prospects coupled with debt reaching almost 30 thousand pounds, whereas opportunities for secure, well paid trade related jobs are available.
With so many university graduates will there be jobs for everyone?
Will there be enough skilled people to build our houses and maintain our infrastructure?
Have we got the balance right?
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It is proposed that government funding for further education should be redirected away from university programmes to support more trade training and apprenticeships