Polytech, unhappy with certificate proposals

Press, 12 June 1984, Page 5

Polytech, unhappy with certificate proposals

Christchurch Polytechnic council members are unhappy with a new certificate proposed by the Authority for Advanced Vocational Awards.

The suggested certificate would be an alternative qualification to students at Stage 4 of their New Zealand Certificate studies. The new award has been proposed for those students who cannot meet the practical work experience requirements of the New Zealand Certificate. The award of the A.A.V.A. certificate would depend on the student meeting all the examination requirements of the New Zealand Certificate and completing three years suitable work experience. The A.A.V.A. certificate would not be able to be credited towards the New Zealand Certificate and a student becoming eligible for the latter might have to repeat study.

It was the latter point that concerned council members. They felt students who opted for the A.A.V.A. award because they could not find work experience as required at Stage 4 of the New Zealand Certificate, would later be penalised if they completed that work because it could not be credited towards the New Zealand Certificate once they had transferred their studies. The council will write to A.A.V.A. expressing its reservations. A second matter involving A.A.V.A. was discussed at the council’s annual meeting last evening. The council had asked the authority to give a national stamp of validation to its diploma in business studies.

Instead the authority had suggested renaming the diploma to include the title A.A.V.A. and the word

Christchurch to show it was issued by the Christchurch Polytechnic only. “We wanted validation on a national level, not for them to change the name of our diploma,” said the director, John Hercus. Sculpture Mr Neil Dawson, a tutor at the institute, will present a sculpture to the polytechnic for the Jean Herbison Centre. Mr Dawson, a noted sculptor, has been on leave from the institute and last evening tendered his resignation. The sculpture will be his farewell gift. Election Mr P. Mills was reelected chairman of the council, Mr F. Crothall, vice-chairman, Mr Ralph Knowles, executive secretary and Miss Gay Hinton, minutes secretary.