Employers and educators now have tools to help develop leaders fit for the 2020s and beyond with the approval of leadership qualifications.
The qualifications, published by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority this month, are the culmination of Te Manu Arataki, a key project to develop the leaders of the future driven by industry and facilitated by Ringa Hora Services Workforce Development Council.
“Great leaders build culture and develop others who contribute to their workplace and to New Zealand,” says SkyCity Senior Learning and Organisational Development Consultant Magda van der Walt, who was heavily involved in the project working group.
“The new qualifications will provide a consistent understanding of what leadership is and is not, and how this might apply in businesses and communities. They will enable leaders to lead themselves and others in our unique New Zealand landscape and diverse contexts.”
Two qualifications have been published by NZQA: the Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Leadership [Ref: 5304], which replaces the Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Business (Introduction to Team Leadership), and the Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Leadership [Ref: 5306], which replaces the Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Business (First Line Management).
The existing qualifications will have a three-year transition period before they are discontinued.
Te Manu Arataki takes its name from the Māori metaphor “Te Manu Arataki i te kāhui”, which acknowledges one’s leadership qualities and compares them to a bird leading a flock, often seen when birds fly in a ‘Skein’ or ‘V’ formation. The decision to change the qualifications was made after extensive engagement and consultation with both industry leaders and education providers conducted as part of Te Manu Arataki.
Following a deep research dive into the state of leadership in New Zealand, Ringa Hora held eight webinars and one in-person workshop to engage as widely as possible with industry and education leaders. Particular attention was paid to gaining the unique Māori and Pacific perspectives on leadership.
Among the most notable points raised during discussions with industry and providers was a belief in a clear distinction between leadership and management. This point was a significant factor in the working group’s decision to rename the Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications as Leadership certificates.
“The new qualifications are centred more on leadership skills at each level rather than all aspects of business. They develop a really strong pathway for emerging leaders and those wanting to progress their skills,” Aspire2 Group Quality Assurance director Tony Boyce says.
“The skills in each graduate profile outcome are transparent and can be adapted to differ leadership environments.”
The decision to rename the qualifications was not taken lightly, particularly given their popularity. However, Te Manu Arataki project leader Sandy Chan says those who used the previous qualifications won’t need to change their programmes. Everything that formed part of those will still be available in the new qualifications, but there is now extra flexibility to include other aspects of leadership.
“Throughout the engagement with industry we heard a wish to highlight the people leadership side and its difference to the management process side,” Sandy says. “The desire was to add some extra focus on the more human side of leading, and these proposed qualifications reflect that.
“It is also important the qualifications are more inclusive, accessible, and meet the needs of Māori, Pacific people, Tāngata Whaikaha, and other priority groups.”
Though the qualifications are generic and can be used across all workplaces, Ringa Hora chief executive Kari Scrimshaw says the Services sector plays a leading role in developing leadership. Kari shares her view further at this page.
Though these qualifications have been approved, work continues on micro-credentials and standard development in leadership.
The qualifications can be viewed on the NZQA website. For more information please email [email protected].
