Education New Zealand (ENZ) is piloting its first e-learning training programme for education agents ahead of an expected rollout this summer. The course will give New Zealand Specialist Agents (NZSAs) – who are endorsed by the government – greater flexibility in how they train, as well as ENZ better data on agents it works with.
“Providing training online will also allow ENZ to better capture agent information”
“It’s not so much about necessity, it’s about opportunity,” an ENZ spokeswoman told The PIE News.
“It will allow New Zealand Specialist Agents to undertake training at a place and time that’s convenient for them, and managers may like to use the modules as professional development tools for their staff.
“Providing training online will also allow ENZ to better capture agent information,” she added.
Around 30-40% of international students in the country are placed by NZSAs, who adhere to a code of ethics, but the government wants to increase this. Last year it introduced 10-day visa processing for international students who used NZSAs.
While face-to-face training for NZSAs has been provided since 2008, online training is likely to simplify certification and boost numbers. “E-learning enables us to train new agents year round, to more easily keep our training content relevant and timely, and to deliver a consistent programme across countries,” said the spokeswoman.
Rollout is expected in July or August but “still dependent on the feedback received during the two-week global pilot”, which involves agents and stakeholders.
New Zealand has committed millions of dollars to doubling its international education sector by 2025 but struggles with student visa fraud from markets such as India and China, hence the need for NZSAs. The UK, Canada and Australia offer similar approved agent training courses.
