A great way for students to try out a career and start an industry qualification while continuing with their academic programme at school

We have had a busy start to the year with 2 Gateway classes and the Employment Studies class attending preparation courses in Workplace Health & Safety and First Aid, they have researched careers and started a unit on CV's and cover letters.

Visitors to the classroom in term 1 include ITO/Te Pūkenga Training Advisors from MITO, BCITO and Competenz talking to students about automotive, construction and engineering careers. Employer representatives have talked to students about expectations in the workplace and about writing a good CV.

Gateway students are in the process of heading out for taster days trialing 3 different careers each (40 students x 3 workplaces each is a LOT of workplaces). A huge thank you to our incredibly supportive local employers for allowing students the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a plumber/electrician/builder/chef/real estate agent/farmer/nurse/early childhood teacher/florist/engineer/occupational therapist/automotive technician/joiner/baker/truck driver/office administrator/accountant......

Once students have confirmed a career direction for the year, they sign on for a 1 day per week work placement and have an individual learning plan designed just for them; theory work is completed in the classroom and practical tasks are signed off in the workplace. Industry assessment credits count towards NCEA but the really cool thing is that they also count towards NZ Certificates, micro-credentials and apprenticeships.