New pathways for Bay secondary school students

Eighty five secondary school students from around the Bay gathered with kaumatua, teachers, principals and deputies at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic to celebrate the launch of the Western Bay of Plenty hub of the Bay of Plenty Trades Academy.

The Western Bay of Plenty Trades Academy builds on a successful model enabling students to develop hands-on practical skills tailored to meet the demands of tomorrow’s workforce.
Focusing on delivering trades and technology training programmes to year 12 and 13 secondary students, Trades Academies form partnerships between schools, tertiary institutions, ITOs and employers. In this model students will be able to combine study at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic with studies towards their NCEA and a nationally recognisable tertiary qualification at Level 2 or 3. All tuition fees for Trades Academy students will be covered by the Government.

“This is an exciting opportunity and I congratulate Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and your staff for embracing the Bay of Plenty Trades Academy and offering this opportunity for these young people,” said Peter Tootell, Principal Trident High School, lead provider for this region, before offering a challenge to the attendant secondary school students.

“Most importantly the challenge lies with you. If you can remember anything from what is said today, then it should be A + A = A. A for Attendance, actually being here when you are supposed to be here. Second A - most important. A for attitude; having a really positive attitude working with your tutors and with your principals. Equals A. Achievement. And that’s what this is all about.”

Dr Helen Anderson, Academic Director at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, was delighted with the turn out.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Bay of Plenty Polytechnic to be able to work collaboratively with local high schools to bring our young people greater opportunities for achievement. Trade Academies open new doors for young people helping them to achieve success across a variety of vocational pathways.”

Trades Academies were established under the Government’s Youth Guarantee Policy with Trident High School taking the lead in the Bay of Plenty and forming partnerships with Waiariki Institute of Technology and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic will be offering a number of vocational training opportunities through the Trades Academy including construction skills, mechanical engineering, automotive training, early childhood education, café operations and business administration and computing. 85 students from local high schools including Katikati College, Bethlehem College, Otumoetai College, Te Wharekura o Mauao, Aquinas College, Tauranga Boys’ College, Tauranga Girls’ College, Mount Maunganui College, Papamoa College and Te Puke High Schools will be attending classes one day a week at the Polytechnic’s Campuses at Windermere or the Bongard Centre.

How it works:

Senior secondary students (years 12 and 13) are enrolled at their secondary school and part-time at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. Students will be able to achieve the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) and National Qualifications Framework (NQF) National Certificates in trades – all without paying tertiary fees (free).

Expectations are that students will be more motivated to stay engaged in learning and training and achieve at least NCEA Level 2; and students will have a head start on training for vocational qualifications and priority access to employment.

The Vocational Pathways have been designed to help students and parents better understand the skills, knowledge and competencies that are relevant and valued in the ‘real world’. Trades Academy programmes support the vocational Pathways and link learning and achievement at school with tertiary learning.