Some polytechnics are reporting strong enrolments and say relatively high unemployment is continuing to drive people into tertiary education according to Radio New Zealand

According to Radio NZ tertiary institutions in New Plymouth, Wellington, Porirua and Auckland say enrolments are between 5 percent and 40 percent higher than at the same time last year.

“However, they note that enrolments also started well in 2011, only to slump in the second half of the year.”

That slump resulted in some polytechnics falling short of enrolment targets and they hope the same thing will not happen this year.

However, Wintec told the Waikato Times total enrolments as at January 31 were down 334 students on last year’s 10,291 student high, but were up for international students and for returning students.

Unitec told Radio NZ more people are studying part-time, which is a sign the job market is picking up.