Successful careers profiled at Otago Polytech Cromwell open day

An Open Day at the Otago Polytechnic Central Otago Campus (Cromwell) on 3 December will profile courses on offer and allow prospective students to explore areas of interest and the related links between qualifications and employment.

The kitchens and greenhouses at the Erris Street Cromwell venue will be open as will the horticulture and viticulture unit on Bannockburn Road.

The Central Otago campuses (Cromwell, Queenstown and Wanaka) offer several location specific courses such as stonemasonry, snowsports instruction, horticulture, viticulture and hospitality and cookery that take advantage of the rich natural resources of the area.

Central Otago Group Manager Jean Tilleyshort says the campus draws students and tutors from all over the world attracted by the enviable lifestyle, course excellence and flexible earn and learn dynamics.

“Our natural learning environment in Central is just outstanding. People study avalanche courses or snow instruction at Wanaka ski areas for example, or viticulture in one of the world’s greatest Pinot Noir producing regions. We have the country’s only full time stonemasonry programme where our naturally occurring stone provides fantastic raw material and has attracted one of the world’s great tutors who imparts his knowledge to people of all ages and stages through hands-on projects. Our sports turf management students work on some of New Zealand’s most famous golf courses and our graduates find work all over the world.”

The cherry orchard at the Bannockburn Road venue reflects the booming export fruit industry in Central Otago, and offers the only practical training in fruit production available in New Zealand.

The resort towns of Queenstown and Wanaka help make the cookery courses (levels 3, 4 and 5) among the best in the country with students learning from award winning chefs. Many students work in the regions’ fabulous hotels, restaurants and cafés as part of the Polytech’s hands-on, learn-by-doing philosophy.

“Several of New Zealand’s top chefs trained in our kitchens and many have come back to teach at different stages of their careers. They all love coming to Central where the produce is incredibly good and the focus of our courses is on making the best use of whatever is locally grown – starting with the food and wine produced by our horticulture and viticulture students. We have young graduates working at top restaurants such as Gantley’s and Botswana Butchery.”

Ms Tilleyshort says learning at Central Otago in Queenstown, Wanaka or Cromwell is relaxed, supportive and very flexible.

“We’ve designed our courses around modern lifestyles – people can work while they study, attend block courses and do the rest on-line or work on specific projects towards their qualification. We have programmes that recognise prior learning or skills picked up through prior occupations or education and we maintain strong industry links so that we know what demand there is for specific qualifications.”

The Open Day takes place between 11am and 1pm in Molyneux Restaurant at the Cromwell venue in Erris Street where prospective students and parents or friends can look around the facilities and talk to lecturers about programmes available in 2012.

Students are also invited to take a look at the Horticulture Block in Bannockburn Road, home to the Horticulture, Viticulture, Turf and Stonemasonry programmes. There will be buses transporting people from Molyneux Restaurant to the Horticulture Block during the Open Day.

People are welcome to show up on the day although are encouraged to RSVP to centralotago@op.ac.nz or free phone on 0800 765 9276.

Click here for more information about Otago Polytechnic Central Otago