NMIT graduates on parade and on the rise

Almost 2000 people have graduated from Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology this year, about 10% more than last year.

The annual graduation parade and ceremony filled central Nelson streets and the Trafalgar Centre on Friday.

Among the 286 graduates at the ceremony was Bachelor of Nursing graduate Brooke Connor.

The scholarship recipient said she had “amazing experiences” with mentors and tutors throughout the three year programme – and said more awareness was needed about what was available in terms of professional support for people going into the field.

“If education and scholarships were more available for nurses, I think it would be a really good thing,” the former beauty therapist said.

“Had I had it pushed down my throat a little bit more, I probably would have pursued it a bit sooner, leaving school maybe“, said Connor, who had pursued the career after raising her young children as a single mum.

She now had a job lined up at the ICU in Nelson hospital.

Bachelor of Nursing graduates were the largest group at the ceremony in Nelson on Friday, with 34 graduates.

NMIT executive director Olivia Hall said programmes experiencing high numbers this year included te reo, and the NZ Certificate in Primary Industries Skills Level 2, with graduates increasing in that course from 193 in 2023 to 459 in 2024.

Qualifications awarded included Certificate, Diploma, Bachelors and Masters, she said.

“Additionally, almost 450 students are graduating with microcredentials, which allow learning to fit around lifestyle, and are a quick way to upskill in a range of industry-relevant programmes.”

Hall said the increase in overall graduates reflected both NMIT’s continuing recovery from Covid-19, and its commitment to responding to the needs of the community and industry partners by offering programmes that were important to the region.

A government announcement was pending about the new model for polytechnics, amid continuing, and often turbulent reform of the vocational education sector.

Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, Penny Simmonds was due to outline the government’s final policy on proposals for institutes of technology and polytechs to either stand alone, or go into a federation supported by the Open Polytechnic, as Te Pūkenga was disestablished.

In October, NMIT confirmed it was consulting staff on a “change proposal” to cut costs, as the government forged ahead with plans to de-merge the sector.

“While our sector faces further change, we remain focussed on our core purpose, which is to provide the best teaching and support for our ākonga as they work towards their goals,” Hall said.

By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail