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Nine Trades Academies confirmed for 2011

Monday 16 August 2010, 4:38PM

By Anne Tolley

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Education Minister Anne Tolley has confirmed that nine Trades Academies will open around the country in 2011, providing trades and technology programmes for over 800 secondary school students.

 

"This Government continues to deliver on its promise to give young New Zealanders the opportunity to reach their potential," says Mrs Tolley.

 

"Trades Academies are a vital part of the Youth Guarantee and provide an innovative approach to keeping 16 and 17 year olds engaged in education, as they develop their vocational skills and talents through trades and technology programmes."

 

The Academies are based on partnerships between schools, tertiary institutions, industry training organisations and employers. They enable students to earn both NCEA credits and a tertiary qualification, while gaining practical skills in the workplace.

 

"Our young people need a flexible education system and Trades Academies will provide a great advantage for those following an industry-related career."

 

The nine Trades Academies opening in 2011, which will call for enrolments soon, are:

 

  • Tai Tokerau Trades Academy (Northland)
  • Southern Cross Trades Academy (Auckland)
  • Eastern Bay of Plenty Trades Academy (Whakatane)
  • Waikato Trades Academy (Hamilton)
  • New Zealand Primary Industries Trades Academy (Auckland)
  • Primary Industries Trades Academy (Wairarapa/Hawkes Bay/Taranaki)
  • Wellington Trades Academy
  • Canterbury Trades College (Christchurch)
  • The New Zealand Virtual School Trades Academy (South Otago)

 

Further Trades Academies are also scheduled to open in Taranaki, Hawkes Bay and the West Coast in 2012.

 

"These Academies will be great for students and for the country as a whole," says Mrs Tolley.

 

"As well as providing more career choices for students, with no fees, they will contribute to growing our economy and productivity as young people with better skill levels enter the labour market."

 

Trades Academy students will still be enrolled at school but may study at another site, for example at a workplace or polytechnic, on some or all days throughout the term.  

 

Additional information

 

Tai Tokerau Trades Academy

 

The Northland Secondary Principals' Association is planning five school-based centres in Tikipunga, Northland, Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Dargaville. 75 Year 12 and 13 students will attend school full-time, working on tertiary programmes that include theory, practical work and some work experience.  The programme for 2011 will focus on delivering National Certificate Level 2 Carpentry, Hospitality and Agriculture/Horticulture.

 

Southern Cross Trades Academy

 

The lead provider is Southern Cross High School in Mangere, which will initially offer National Certificate Level 2 Hospitality in 2011.  Thirty places will be available, with students spending three days per week at Southern Cross and two days on work experience.  A purpose-built hospitality suite will be completed this year.

 

Eastern Bay of Plenty Trades Academy

 

100 students will benefit from a two year programme led by Trident High School in Whakatane, involving seven schools and Waiariki Institute of Technology. This will be 80 per cent secondary and 20 per cent tertiary in year one, and 60 per cent secondary and 40 per cent tertiary in year two.  Programmes on offer in 2011 could include National Certificate Level 2 Agriculture, Forestry, Automotive Engineering, Construction, Hospitality and Office Administration.

 

Waikato Trades Academy

 

The Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) is the lead provider with 12 schools also involved. National Certificate Level 2 Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Motor Industry will be offered. 48 students will attend school full-time for the NCEA component and will achieve National Certificate Level 2 by attending two-week tertiary block courses at Wintec.

 

New Zealand Primary Industries Trades Academy

 

The Forestry Industry Training and Education Council of New Zealand is partnering with the New Zealand Horticulture Training Organisation and the Agriculture Industry Training Organisation to work with up to 120 students from 15 schools around the country. Year 11 students will work towards National Certificate Level 1 Primary Industries before moving into Agriculture, Horticulture or Forestry/Wood Manufacturing in Years 12 and 13.  Participating schools will deliver the NCEA component with the practical component delivered by an ITO.

 

Primary Industries Trades Academy

 

Delivered by Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, which has campuses in the Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay and Taranaki. It also plans to have the programme available in the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. 100 Year 11-13 students will attend school full-time and take part in work experience one day a week.  They will also attend four one-week block courses at the Taratahi Training Centre in Masterton. In 2011 the programme will focus on delivering National Certificate Level 2 Intro Agriculture.

 

Wellington Trades Academy

 

Weltec will be offering a full-time programme to 100 Year 12 and 13 students delivered on-site at its Petone campus. National Certificate Level 2 qualifications are planned to be available in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction, Plumbing, Hairdressing, Creative Technology and Hospitality.

 

Canterbury Trades College

 

This programme will be delivered to 148 students in two ways. One model involves students studying full-time on-site at Linwood College. Qualifications on offer in 2011 could include National Certificate Level 1 Automotive Start Up Ignition, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Building Construction and Allied Trades.  The second model involves students studying towards NCEA at school and attending the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) three afternoons per week.  National Certificate Level 3 Carpentry and Level 2 Hospitality will be offered at CPIT in 2011. 

 

The New Zealand Virtual School Trades Academy

 

The Catlins Area School in South Otago will deliver a virtual programme to 100 Year 11-13 students across the country. It will include both NCEA and Level 1 and 2 tertiary qualifications. Students will attend school for three days a week to access the virtual component of the programme.  This will be delivered in both real-time and pre-prepared classes and activities.  A range of media will be used including Skype, YouTube and interactive 3D PDF documents, with students attending work experience two days a week. Subjects include Aviation and Tourism, Foundation Studies, Agriculture/Horticulture, Digital Technology and E-trades, Electrical Studies, Forestry and Infrastructure Studies.