Posted on 24 August 2017
Open Polytechnic, New Zealand’s specialist provider of online and distance learning, and the MASH Trust, a leading provider of support services in the lower North Island, have been working together to upskill mental health and disability support workers.
So far in August more than 30 learners from MASH have enrolled in Open Polytechnic’s new New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4).
This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations.
Head of School of Health and Social Sciences Dr Raymond Young says the qualification has been developed as part of Open Polytechnic’s new suite of social health and wellbeing programmes.
“Our new social health and wellbeing qualifications have been developed in close consultation with the sector, including with the MASH Trust,” Dr Young says.
“Our fee-free qualifications respond to the significant changes being experienced in the disability, mental health and addiction sectors in New Zealand. They ensure graduates have the skills and knowledge to increase the choice and control that people and families have in their lives.”
MASH Trust CEO Carol Searle says the partnership with Open Polytechnic ensures that staff are supported to obtain qualifications from a recognised training institution with a reputation for providing quality support to students.
“Supporting our staff to be the best they can be fits well with our Mission Statement - Working Together to Achieve Great Lives,” she says. “We look forward to a long and productive relationship with Open Polytechnic.”
For more information on Open Polytechnic’s new Social Health and Wellbeing qualifications, visit: http://bit.ly/2rPvKNu.