There are many exciting proposals in the Wellington City Council’s Draft Long Term Plan for the next decade, but there is also one glaring omission.
As the Chancellor of Victoria University, the region’s largest education institution, I was disappointed to see that nowhere in the plan is there any recognition of the major contribution that education already makes to the City and wider region. Alongside my role as Chancellor, I also chair the Steering Group for a national project that seeks to increase the number of engineers graduating from our tertiary institutions—to provide the skills needed for an innovative economy. Engineers are in high demand by local employers and Wellington’s regional educational institutions make a significant contribution to the region’s needs. For example, Victoria and Weltec already work cooperatively to offer students different pathways into engineering careers, and there is an opportunity for Council(s) to join with these institutions and Wellington’s high-tech firms to develop the smart people necessary for a vibrant regional economy.
It is even more perplexing, given the demonstrated importance of the education sector to Wellington’s health and prosperity, that none of the 11 proposals put forward by the Council to stimulate Wellington’s future economic growth specifically relate to tapping into the contribution that could be made by the education sector.
The only reference in the plan to education is the suggestion that a national music hub be established as part of the revitalisation of Civic Square. While an excellent initiative, this hardly reflects the vital place that education plays in the life of Wellington City and beyond.
The benefits that our education institutions bring to our communities may be obvious to many, but they can never be overstated. As well as being centres of learning and vital to the upskilling of our workforce, our universities, polytechnics and schools are also focal points for our communities and where society turns for leadership on the big issues and matters of critical conscience.
Just as importantly, education is also a major economic contributor to our city and the region.
Victoria University contributes in excess of $1 billion per year to the regional economy. This is made up of what the University itself spends; the injection of funds from our 2,500 staff who live and work here; and the spending by our 20,000+ students, spread across four campuses in different parts of the city. These people, and their families, support local businesses, retail outlets, accommodation providers, leisure and recreation facilities, as well as directly and indirectly contributing to local government rates.
Massey, Whitireia and WelTec easily add another $500 million to the total annual contribution. On top of all of that, is the significant revenue generated by private training institutions and our many public and private schools.
What’s missing from the Wellington City Council’s Draft Long Term Plan is recognition that prudent investment and support of our city’s education institutions has the potential to unlock even greater economic returns for the city and region.
The region’s leading education providers have collectively developed the Wellington International Strategy, which provides a roadmap for doubling the number of international students studying in the capital city region by 2023. The goal is for each institution to have at least 15 percent of their rolls made of up of international students within the next five years.
Currently Victoria is home to over 3000 international students. To double that number is an ambitious undertaking, but one which would deliver a major boost to the City’s economy, creativity and multicultural atmosphere.
Such ambitious goals are important, not only to the future of Victoria and the City’s other education providers, but they are also important for the future of Wellington.
The fact is that Wellington’s economy is spluttering along compared with other regions. At 4.4 percent, Wellington regional GDP growth is the lowest in the country. As major employers, significant contributors of revenue, and as centres of intellectual influence, Wellington’s rich resource of education providers has a vital role to play in turning the fortunes of the City around.
The Council is a wonderful and enthusiastic promoter of Wellington City, but its efforts should not be limited to selling the story of our entertainment, IT and arts communities.
It should be taking an active interest in the development of a comprehensive Wellington education sector growth plan. It should also be telling the rest of New Zealand, and the world, about the high-quality tuition available and the outstanding experience students can have in New Zealand’s capital city as they receive a world-class education.