The role of Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) is to ensure the vocational education system meets industry needs and gives a stronger voice to Māori business and iwi development.
WDCs will give their industries and employers greater leadership and influence across vocational education. Success for WDCs will mean employers – including Māori business owners – are confident that vocational education graduates are ready for work and that the future skills needs of their industry will be addressed by the vocational education system.
As well as directly benefiting employers, WDCs will improve confidence and outcomes across the sector. Providers can be confident their programmes are relevant to employers and endorsed by industry. Learners can be confident their qualifications will meet employers’ expectations and national industry standards.
Six WDCs were stood up on 4 October 2021 through the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE).
Ohu Ahumahi Workforce Development Councils Logo
The WDC logo is an image of a taura whiri, a plaited rope. It shows how the WDCs are woven together by a shared kaupapa, or purpose. Each council is represented by a colour. These colours overlap and braid together to create a stronger whole, a fibre with integrity that pulls us forward.
The taura whiri, plaited rope has been used as a metaphor by kaiwhaikōrero (orators) to connect whānau groups through a shared ancestor and to acknowledge a leader’s ability to bring people together. It has been applied to various situations where elements come together in unity. The taura/rope is made by plaiting aho (strands) made from rolled muka (scraped flax strands). Creating a stronger taura (rope) than the aho could on their own.
All WDCs work within Te Ao Marama, the world of light. The logo weaves together a spectrum of colours to bring light and enlightenment. The individual colours for each WDC relate to Māori culture and the connection between people and nature.
