'It's Southland's future – we need to have our say'

"This is our chance to have a real impact—our last opportunity to let the government know that we want to keep SIT independent."

Carla Forbes campaigning in 2019 to halt the Government’s planned merger of polytechnics.

Invercargill businesswoman Carla Forbes was the face of the 2019 Stand Up for SIT campaign which rallied against the then Government’s planned polytechnic merger. That lobbying did not halt the merger. Five years on and Forbes is back in lobbying mode calling on Southlanders to again make a stand, this time asking that independence be returned for the Southern Institute of Technology. Forbes provides her thoughts.

We've fought hard against the government's decision to merge polytechnics, and despite our unified efforts, the mega-merger went ahead. However, we have one final opportunity to regain our independence and restore the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) to its former autonomous glory.

The SIT has long been a cornerstone of our community, providing not only exceptional education but also adding vibrancy and financial value to our region. It has empowered countless individuals, businesses and contributed to the prosperity of Southland.

Now, the government is asking for submissions on what the future of the vocational education sector should look like. https://www.education.govt.nz/our-work/consultations/open-consultations/2024-vocational-education-and-training-reforms/ This is our chance to have a real impact—our last opportunity to let the government know that we want to keep SIT independent and ensure it continues to thrive as an essential part of Southland.

Please take the time to submit your views. VocationalEducation.Reforms@education.govt.nz. Now is the moment to stand up for our community, for our future, for the prosperity and vibrancy of Southland

Let's rally together one more time, we need to have our say — Southland is worth the fight.