在新西兰
地方技术学院的政府拨款被砍掉3000多万纽元，再次证实国家党政府漠视新西兰的边郊地区。 技校在我国经济中扮演的角色非常重要，它们为推动新西兰经济成长输送技术工人。它们为中学毕业生和再培训的人提供了机
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技校在我国经济中扮演的角色非常重要，它们为推动新西兰经济成长输送技术工人。它们为中学毕业生和再培训的人提供了机会。然而在国家党治下的2010年和2011年两年间，地方技术学院的拨款就被削减了3200万纽元。
这是对新西兰边郊地区的蓄意忽视。
工党高等教育事务发言人格兰特罗伯森日前在Invercargill参加一个高等教育论坛时指出：这些资金削减给南岛带来的打击最大。南岛技术学院在2011年的拨款被砍掉490万纽元，即砍掉了14%。这导致木工、电工及工程类的课程相应被砍。而这些科目正是我国每个乡村地区需要发展的核心技能。
除了SIT南岛技术学院，南岛其他地区的社区成人教育拨款以及学徒工人数也被大幅削减。这一切都表明国家党政府正在将南岛及其他地区卖空。
工党坚信新西兰需要大力发展遍布全国的技术学院网络。只有技术学院得到扶持，才能为各地区输送所需要的技术工人。我们亟待看到技术学院各个出色的中心为本国的革新起到推动作用。工党将会支持我们的边郊地区，确保这些地区得到发展所需的协助。（霍建强议员办公室供稿）
GrantROBERTSON
Tertiary Education Spokesperson
9 August 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT
National’s polytech cuts hurting the heartland
Cuts of more than $30 million of funding for regional polytechnics is further evidence that the National Government is neglecting provincial New Zealand, says Grant Robertson Labour’s Tertiary Education, Skills and Training Spokesperson.
"Polytechnics play a vital role in the economy of our regions by providing the skilled workforce that is needed to drive economic growth. They provide opportunity for both school leavers and those re-training. But under National between 2010 and 2011 $32 million was cut from regional polytechs.”
“This is wilful neglect of provincial New Zealand.”
Grant Robertson is in Invercargill today speaking to a public forum on tertiary education.
"Southland has been hit hard by these cuts. The Southern Institute of Technology had $4.9 million or 14% of its budget cut in 2011. This led to cuts in carpentry, electrical and engineering courses. These are core trade skills that every regional community needs to develop."
"Beyond SIT itself, the Southland region has seen significant cuts to Adult and Community Education and to the numbers of modern apprentices and industry trainees. Added together this shows the National government is selling Southland and other regions short."
"Labour believes that we need a network of strong polytechnics across New Zealand. They need to be supported to provide the skilled workforce that regions need. We also want to see centres of excellence develop in polytechs to help drive innovation. Labour will back our regions and ensure there is support for them to grow." Grant Robertson says.