Independent Tertiary Education NZ says degree-level and above programs currently see better growth than lower-degree level programs, and post-study job opportunities influence students' decisions.
“Visa settings do not favor lower degree programs,” ITENZ CEO Wayne Dyer told The PIE.
“Post-degree employment rights have been more restrictive for lower degree programs and this has had an impact on many providers. This is an important issue for them.”
The association, which represents about 140 private education providers in New Zealand (43 to 50 actively recruit international students), lobbies the government to increase employment opportunities.
New rules for non-degree level courses have been introduced in 2022. This means that students on courses below level 7 will no longer be able to work in the country after completing their studies, unless their qualifications are included in a specific skills shortage list.
The decision comes after a consultation process was announced in 2018. However, ITENTS is understood to have gained momentum as the National Party's manifesto included a pledge to find employment after studying due to a change in government last year.
Christopher Luxon's party, which won the election, said it would increase working hours during studies from 20 to 24 hours a week and expand employment rights for international students and their partners.
During the election campaign, the party's higher education spokeswoman Penny Simmonds said New Zealand “must get back on its feet as quickly as possible the sectors that can provide much-needed export earnings, such as international education”.
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“Immigration to New Zealand [needs to] Timely visa processing, visa rejection [must be] This is minimal, especially after providers have invested post-Covid. They are starting to rebuild capacity within the schools,” she said.
She explained that suppliers are working to rehire staff, rebuild relationships with agents, and build marketing and sales capabilities.
“The visa setup under the new government is something we are lobbying for on behalf of our members. Post-study employment rights for lower-level degrees should be changed to enable the sector to better attract international students.”
“Post-study employment rights for bachelor’s degrees should be changed to enable the sector to better attract international students.”
According to Dyer, the government has talked about doubling export earnings through international education, although the exact goal is not yet clear.
“It’s not clear at what point the doubling will occur, but it’s basically putting it back to where it was,” he told The PIE.
“For this to happen we need to rebuild awareness of New Zealand internationally as it has disappeared from the menus of some dealerships due to closures. It’s important to get back to that menu.”
Study after study is an expectation for some learners, but not all, Dyer acknowledged.
The PTE sector must also build its message around the fact that it offers small classes, is “learner-centred”, is connected to industry, and is flexible and adaptable, he said.
However, for maximum efficiency, post-study work rights are “critical”.
The government must take a joint approach to ensure education and immigration deliver the same message, he continued.
“It is important for governments to understand that post-study work is not necessarily the same as migration, but they sometimes confuse it. And sometimes there is a concern that post-study employment rights are the same as migration, but I think that is not the case.”