The Government is spending $4.7 million to enable the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) to operate the Telford farm campus in 2020 and 2021.

The bulk of the investment will be in earthquake strengthening of buildings and addressing maintenance issues.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins said the decision would give certainty to students, staff and the community, as the funding is expected to set a platform for SIT to operate Telford beyond 2021.

Under their proposal submitted to the Government, SIT plans to teach more than 220 students in 2020 and 250 in 2021 at the Telford campus and further afield.

The Government will invest several million additional dollars to support these studies and training.  

Chris Hipkins said students will have the opportunity to learn on campus or through distance learning, and SIT will market courses to international students.

“SIT has a good track record of growing its business through these approaches and Telford is well placed to continue to deliver skills for an industry that has been under-served in the last few years.

“SIT sees opportunities to grow the programmes and engage with industry, and I strongly encourage that,” Mr Hipkins said.

In February, the Government invested $1.8 million in SIT to operate Telford through 2019.

In agreeing to invest further, SIT will follow key deliverables and reporting requirements to ensure accountability for funding.