Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) has started 2025 with a bang, experiencing a growth spurt in enrolment numbers, which are up by 19% compared to January 2024.
SIT Operations Lead, Daryl Haggerty, said heading into the first semester of the year, it was pleasing to see the increasing level of enrolments coming through.
There had been a significant surge in Trades’ enrolments; the increase seen mainly in entry-level Automotive and Construction programmes. Rounding out the top three subjects for on-campus learning was Health and Well-being Level 4. “Those interested in the popular trades should act quickly to secure a space before the programmes are full,” Mr Haggerty said. The top three subjects in distance learning so far in 2025, were Workplace Health and Safety, Photography, and Applied Management.
The iconic, original SIT Zero Fees Scheme continues in 2025 for any year of study on-campus in Southland and Queenstown areas, and Distance Learners anywhere in the country with SIT2LRN and HyFlex programmes. The scheme has assisted thousands of New Zealanders in achieving debt-free education for 24 years, helping them to resume their lives after graduating without the burden of a large student loan.
SIT’s proactive approach is seen in its “firsts”, leading the way in tertiary education in New Zealand: first to develop and introduce HyFlex learning, now rolled out in Bachelor of Screen Arts – all strands, Bachelor of Accounting, NZ Diploma in Business – all strands, Master of Applied Management, Master of Applied Health Sciences: Wellness and Rehabilitation, GIS (Geographic Information System) micro-credential, Applied Payroll micro-credential (from semester 2) and Audio Production (Level 7) from semester 2. Another first is the state-of-the-art LED virtual production wall; the first LED virtual wall to be installed in an educational institute in New Zealand.
“SIT is a place of opportunity for students of any level. We’ve experienced high levels of success with our secondary school level programmes, such as Murihiku Tertiary Academy (MTA),” Mr Haggerty said. In 2023, 96.8% of SIT’s MTA students attended at least 80% or more of their classes, 23.5% above the national average of 63.3%; 88.9% of MTA students achieved NCEA L2, 10% above the national average of 79.9%; and 79.4% of students achieved at least 80% or more of their programme credits, 22.5% above the national average of 56.9%.
Adults in the Southland region who had a post-school qualification were at 46.5%, whereas the rest of New Zealand was at 54% (Statistics NZ 2023). “With a more competitive job market in 2025, now is the ideal time to gain a qualification that equips people with the practical skills and qualifications the workforce requires,” Mr Haggerty said. SIT provided entry points at every level for adult learners to study, from certificates and diplomas, to degrees, graduate and postgraduate programmes, right through to master’s.
Mr Haggerty pointed to the quality of experience students had at SIT, reflected in the 94% Student Satisfaction Survey (2024). “It’s all about our people; having dedicated staff who form the backbone of our organisation. We consistently gain positive feedback about the quality of our tutors, their accessibility and knowledge.” Added to this, were the Student Support Services team; “they provide second-to-none care of SIT students, giving them access to a wide range of support on campus.” Health nurse, counsellors, Pasifika Liaison, Maori Liaison, learning support (Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark), student mentoring, on-campus activities, free meals, bus trips, and more; all indicators of prioritising the health and well-being of SIT students.
Forging and maintaining close links with industry to ensure the programmes offered meet the needs of employers and the workplace is a key part of SIT’s success, Mr Haggerty stated. “Our 2023 Graduate Outcomes Report showed 91% of SIT graduates were in employment or studying. This result is consistent with previous years and indicates our graduates are desirable and achieving employment or upskilling by continuing in their studies.”
SIT facilities continue to “wow”; with investment into infrastructure the campuses have been developed into contemporary, functional learning hubs which often use industry-leading equipment – not common in industry yet.
“SIT’s Joinery workshop is recognised as arguably the best in any tertiary training facility. Our Nursing students practise their skills in clinical suites, as close as possible to the working environment they will be entering, as do our Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing and Massage students.“
SIT continues to hone its programme offering to meet industry needs, developing current content as well as offering new programmes. The Bachelor of Professional Communication underwent development in mid-2024 opening to new students in 2025, SIT Hairdressing has introduced the new unified programme, the New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3), this year, and SIT’s agricultural campus, Telford, had the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) (Rural Animal Healthcare), a new, unified programme. “We look forward to welcoming students to these new and updated programmes,” Mr Haggerty concluded.