Gateway pilot programme

 

 

Competenz ran a successful Gateway pilot programme for secondary school students in 2017 in three industries – engineering, furniture and butchery.

The pilot was developed in response to a survey conducted with schools on how we could help them to expose students to careers in trades.

Each programme contained a set number of unit standards worth 20 credits and Competenz staff provided support to the student and school around placement with an employer, visits and assessment of their units.

The pilot attracted 28 schools nationwide and more than 50 students across all three sectors. The Competenz Industry Training team provided significant support to the Careers team to deliver the pilot, particularly in the regions outside of Auckland.

The objective of the programme was to deliver a product aimed at giving the participant a more meaningful understanding of the industry and credits that counted towards both NCEA and an apprenticeship should the student decide to pursue further training. What wasn’t anticipated was the volume of offers of employment and apprenticeships that came from the employers that took part in the scheme. There were 17 Gateway students offered an apprenticeship and 12 accepted.

 

 

The pilot has shown potential to develop into a significant job brokering tool and becoming a key source for bringing young, talented learners into Competenz.

In 2018 the programme will grow to include forestry and baking and we have set a participation target to double the 2017 rates.

The long-term goal is for the Gateway programme to become an essential part of schools’ pathway options across the country.

 

Gateway programmes:

  • Baking
  • Butchery
  • Engineering 
  • Furniture 
  • Forestry.