Fees-FREE online learning launched for Northlanders

Alison Shrigley Reporter from Whangārei Leader

NorthTec and TANZ eCampus are launching a fees-free online learning initiative, to help
Northlanders upskill or reskill if they have been impacted by the current Covid-19 pandemic.
NorthTec and TANZ eCampus are already partners delivering fully online learning for students to study in their own home and at their own pace.

Unfortunately, unemployment is predicted to rise sharply as the country deals with the uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic, with difficult times ahead for many people who might find themselves needing to upskill or learn new skills to support a move into different industries and jobs.

To support people and employers in our region, NorthTec is building further on the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) ‘Fees Free’ options, to ensure we can offer fees-free learning to all people in our region.

The initiative is aimed at helping people upskill or learn new skills in order to help the region’s economy recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Learners can also access Chromebook devices from NorthTec to help them study from home.

To benefit from the fees-free initiative, learners need to enrol by 18 May.

NorthTec Chief Executive, Wayne Jackson, said: “We recognise that this is a very difficult time for many people, and that there will be job losses across the region. While people are unable to work, and forced to stay home during the lockdown, this initiative will help them retrain through quality education with no fees attached.

“TANZ eCampus is a fully online platform and is staffed by trained and experienced tutors who support learners throughout their studies. It’s a great way to study if you are unable to leave home, and with no fees it will be a really productive way for people to use their time while the country is in this unprecedented situation.”

The NorthTec eCampus portfolio of programmes can be found at
www.northtec.ac.nz...... , along with details on how to enquire and apply.

In association with this initiative, NorthTec has also secured Chromebooks that can be used to support students who do not have a device to study from home. Learners who require a Chromebook will be given details when they enrol.

NorthTec can provide details of a range of data support schemes that are available to support learning if required; again, details can be provided to students at the point of enrolment.