PPTA president Kate Gainsford hopes National's education portfolio reshuffle will signal a rethink on the poorly thought out adult community education (ACE) cuts.

Gainsford welcomed the decision to hand education minister Anne Tolley's tertiary portfolio to transport minister Steven Joyce.

PPTA was encouraged by Joyce's track record of problem solving, Gainsford said.

"We know that the tertiary portfolio will require a cool head and a steady hand. "We are looking forward to having discussions with him about how community and adult education can assist with the government's plans for economic growth and prosperity," she said.

Gainsford also welcomed the prime minister's decision to give Tolley more time to deal with her remaining portfolios.

"We hope that this means she will be better able to make time to consult with the sector, respond to letters and deal with the enormous amount of research on the issues her portfolios cover. "We know she's needed more time to grasp some of the issues - she has needed more time for a long time," Gainsford said.

Tolley has commented in the media that she is through talking to unions but Gainsford hopes for a more constructive dialogue with Joyce over ACE cuts.

"Talking to people is very different from talking with people," she said.