The West Coast Trades Academy gives secondary school students the chance to start training for a trade while they are still at school.

The West Coast Trades Academy (WCTA) is a partnership between all of the West Coast high schools and area schools and tertiary institutions. Greymouth High School coordinates the Academy, and Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP), Whenua Iti Outdoors (WIO), Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) and Papa Taiao Earthcare are the Tertiary Partners for WCTA.

Trades academies are part of the Government’s youth initiatives. They focus on providing more choices for young New Zealanders and giving them greater opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and talents through trades and technology programmes that are jointly provided by schools and tertiary education organisations.

Courses are run for one day a week at Tai Poutini Polytechnic in Greymouth. Transport to and from the venue is provided. Some courses are run in week long blocks.

For more information on the 2025 courses available view the West Coast Trades Academy Programme Guide

Or you can visit the West Coast Trades Academy Website