Applications for the 2012/2013 award closed on 4 May 2012. Background information and criteria for the Queen Elizabeth the Second Technicians' Study Awards are shown below.
Applications for training assistance in a Commonwealth country are considered and awards made by a selection committee comprising representatives of the Association of Polytechnics in New Zealand, the New Zealand Vice Chancellors' Committee and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
The amount awarded may vary depending on the duration of the course of study or training programme and its location as well as other factors.
For the purposes of these awards, technicians are defined broadly as that group of trained persons (which may include tradespeople) who are qualified and recognised as technicians/technologists in their discipline and who have worked in their field for at least three years.
Fields of work in which technicians are employed include the health sciences, nursing, science (including chemistry, physics, biology and the various branches of agricultural sciences), engineering (including civil, chemical, metallurgical, electrical and electronic). Technicians are also found in building, draughting, surveying, town planning, and fishing. Awards have also been made in the fields of child health, education of handicapped persons, police work and the arts, including print making and photography.
In determining the awards, the definition of "technician" will be interpreted liberally and prospective applicants should not be deterred from applying because their work is not specifically covered above.
In considering the actual level of award, the Committee is permitted under the Act to contribute to the cost of tuition fees, books, materials, and student union fees for courses of enrolled tertiary study. The Committee can also contribute to a living allowance for the duration of the course. A major expense for overseas study is travel and the Act permits the Committee to contribute to this.
You can find a list of the recent awards that have supported technicians and the studies they are undertaking attached as a PDF on this page.
The Selection Committee takes the approach that they are in partnership with the applicant and the applicant's employer in facilitating a course of study or training opportunity that might not otherwise be available.
The successful applicant personally gains much from the award. The knowledge and training becomes part of their personal skills set; the Committee therefore looks for some contribution from the applicant's personal financial resources toward the cost.
Employers are also a major beneficiary of the knowledge and training and the Committee expects that they will support the award in some way. Most employers recognise the need to support the continuing career development of their staff. While policies on supporting staff on full pay while on study leave vary from organisation to organisation, the Selection Committee usually looks for this type of support from employers whether on full, or a reduced level of pay.
The Selection Committee is happy for applicants to submit proposals without first gaining a guarantee of financial support from their employer. The Committee have found that a conditional offer of finance from the QEII Technicians' Study Awards often assists with gaining the financial support from an employer.
The application form seeks assurances of the contributions that can be made by the three parties in the "partnership".
The award may only be granted for full time study in a Commonwealth country including New Zealand. Awards are not normally made to persons who are currently students. It is expected that applicants will have had a significant period of relevant work experience since completing their existing qualifications.
In general preference will be given to applicants:
Candidates will be required to submit a short report (to a maximum of two pages of typescript) to the Secretary of the QEII Technicians’ Study Awards on the completion of their award, outlining the training and the benefits they have received.
The QEII Technicians' Study Awards were inaugurated in 1970. During her visit to New Zealand in that year, Her Majesty the Queen agreed to accept a gift from the people of New Zealand and decided that this gift should be study awards for technicians.
The legal basis for the awards is The Queen Elizabeth II Technicians' Study Award Act 1970. The award according to the preamble to this Act is:
"To encourage and promote the pursuance of full time study in disciplines such as Engineering, Science, Building, Surveying, Management, Design, Agriculture, Dairying, Technology, Forestry, Mining and Technologies associated with Tourism, so that all people of New Zealand may benefit".
The Queen Elizabeth II Technicians' Study Awards are managed under contract to TeachNZ.
Applications closed on 4 May 2012. Please address all correspondence including requests for further information to:
Secretary
QEII Technicians' Study Awards
773 Moonshine Road
R D 1, PORIRUA, 5381
Phone: (04) 528 0808
email: ajhutson@xtra.co.nz