2023 has been another fine year for those students pursuing vocational pathways at Marlborough Boys' College.

This has included a good representation across the Top of the South Trades Academy (TOTSA) courses, as well as strong numbers on Gateway, which provides local work experience-based opportunities. Both programmes involve Year 12 and 13 students, usually completing a day per week of out of school learning, gaining hands-on work experience in their chosen fields, such as engineering, building, farming, paint & panel, electrics, automotive, and the wine industry. This year’s Gateway programme has involved 62 work placements, while there have been another 22 students completing TOTSA trades courses in Wine Cellar Operations, Automotive and Manaaki Tāpoi cultural tourism courses.

The results achieved through both these programmes has been excellent, due the dedication of the students and staff running the courses, as well as the wonderful support of local businesses. Not only have these young men received practical opportunities, but they also completed theory papers related to the industry as they did their courses and placement, meaning many have achieved upwards of 20 credits towards there NCEA Level 2 and 3 Qualifications. An example of this being through attending an intensive two-day Health & Safety course with Safety n Action, to help get them more work ready.

As a direct result of the programmes many students have achieved apprenticeships and offers of full-time employment, while some are going on to study tertiary courses at Te Pūkenga (New Zealand’s Institute for Skills and Technology). Automotive students for example may choose to pursue a Level 3 pre-trade certificate with NMIT / Te Pūkenga, or alternatively go straight into the industry where they can begin a Level 4 apprenticeship, under the guidance of their employer and the Industry Training Organisation, such as MITO, who are also now under the Te Pūkenga umbrella.

Another key element in the success of the students is the Driver Education program at Marlborough Boys' College. This programme involves around 120 students in Years 12-13 and has been largely funded by Employment Support Marlborough Trust, before the trust was wound up earlier this year. The introduction of the Driver Education programme has resulted in most young men coming into the Gateway programme usually having already obtained their Learners or Restricted driver's licence. Having a driver licence in an integral qualification in most industries but has especially helped place a number of students with those businesses who work more remotely.

This year there were two major award winners in the vocational studies areas. The first of these went to Year 13 student George Linstrom, who was recipient of the ‘Prime Ministers Vocational Excellence Award,’ This nationwide award comes with a prize of $2000 and sits alongside the Dux Litterum, as one of our premier academic awards. George has been involved with the Top of the South Trades Academy program over the last two years, completing the Wine Cellar Operations course, while being a top student in many of his vocational classes. George’s course tutor comments that he “understands theoretical concepts and practical applications around basic winemaking of white, red, and sweet wines including fruit receival and processing, fermentation management, additions, tank mixing operations, bottling and cellar hygiene protocols. He has completed all his workbooks, written assessments, presentations, and practic3l exercises, showing a clear understanding of the course learning objectives”.

The other significant award, ‘Gateway Student of The Year’ went to Luke Adcock who has been on Gateway placements at Bainbridge Roofing and more recently, irrigation-based company - Liquid Action, where Luke has now commenced fulltime work before starting an apprenticeship in January. Both employers were particularly impressed with Lukes’s initiative and reliability, always showing up on time and being prepared to do whatever is asked of him. Other notable winners of vocational based awards include Riley Price (Top student in NMIT’s Automotive class) and Kairyn Bradley Kiwi (Top of Level 3 Manaaki Tāpoi course with Whenua Iti Outdoors).

Finally, it is important to acknowledge the outstanding work of the careers staff at Marlborough Boys' College as it would not be possible to achieve these impressive results and create so many practical working opportunities for the students without their dedication. One of these key cogs being Mr Peter Baker, who retired from the College earlier this year. After 12 years in the role of Gateway Liaison, Peter has helped place hundreds of young men in meaningful work experience placements, which has led to most gaining apprenticeship and other work opportunities with local businesses, of whom are now employing the next generation of MBC graduates.

George Lindstrom (Winner of the Prime Ministers Vocational Excellence award).

Year 12 student Riley Price receiving his award at the TOTSA Prizegiving. 

Gateway Student of the Year: Photo 1: Liquid Action: With Matt Broughan (Head of Design and Sales) and Bainbridge Roofing: with Tim Wood (Director) Luke had 2 placements.