Kalandra started almost eighteen months ago and of course events and developments always initiate a response, so this is the update for you.
Gateway programmes.
We are offering unit standard modules to Secondary Schools and in the spirit of our niche and recognising our commitment to the people who purchased our previous organisation we are only offering health focused and in areas not offered previously. Much of the material will be e-based and thus much easier for the students as well as the administrator.
Sub-degree qualifications.
Again, we are restricted in our offerings due to the commitment to the purchaser of CAG, however we are hoping that by the beginning of 2018 to have two niche programmes on offer; one is a Level 4 rehabilitation programme based around the Health and Wellbeing Qualification, focusing on chronic illness and the other is relating to mental health and addiction. The rehabilitation programme has been designed to develop assistants who can work with those who have had a stroke, or now suffer from Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis or other neurological impairment. The mental health programme is the first of three sub-degree programmes we are developing in this area and will promote graduates able to work as community support workers in a field of high need.
TEC has confirmed that they will provide us funding for our Rehabilitation and Mental Health programmes in 2018.
Graduate Diplomas Level 7.
All qualifications are aimed at assisting our older people become more independent and/or more comfortable. We have always perceived a need for a qualification relating to psychosocial support (counselling) and are currently battling with NZQA, who either feel that we are incorrect in this, or perhaps we have not provided enough evidence to establish need. Surely it is obvious that our very vulnerable older people have huge issues and have every reason to be experiencing depression, drug addiction and have perhaps contemplated suicide. In fact, many older people do choose to stop living and simply cease eating, however we deem that as death by natural causes. If anyone can help us with an email to support this, we would be very indebted to you. This ‘disapproval’ from NZQA makes me anxious as the next qualification is remedial therapy for the older person i.e massage for relaxation and for relaxation. As I grow older I want to know that my masseur understands that my skin is getting frail and that my aching bones need support quite differently from when I was younger. However, if it is such a battle to get a mental health support qualification through then what will NZQA think about this one?
We currently have two more qualifications being written and I will update you shortly, however they are more in line with management and leadership, providing knowledge and skills to a sector that is definitely struggling.
TEC has confirmed that they will provide us funding for our Mental Health and Massage programmes in 2018.
International ventures.
We are looking at this in two ways, bringing students into NZ and offering our qualifications in other countries. We can not bring students here until we have approval from NZQA for the qualifications we wish to offer. This has definitely affected our planning, however the good news is that we have great interest from overseas by organisations wishing to deliver our material in their country. We do not need to have the NZQA approval to do this. I believe we need to hit hard and fast and get this information out there quickly. Our older people need these trained people.
We have signed our first MOU with Singapore for the Mental Health Level 7 qualification
Kalandra has seen a need and are so very grateful to those who are supporting us in our venture.
Christine
Chief Executive
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