Strong demand means a further 50 places will be offered when the Hawke’s Bay and Tairäwhiti Schools Trades Academy @ EIT launches its first programmes this year.

The trades academy will provide secondary school students with on-campus practical skills training at EIT in Hawke’s Bay and at Tairäwhiti while allowing them to study for NCEA credits and tertiary qualifications.

The basic model offers 16 and 17-year-olds the opportunity to attend EIT fees-free one day a week for training in automotive engineering, trades skills, hospitality, sport and recreation, animal care and hair and beauty services.

Because of the high demand, the Ministry of Education recently granted the additional 50 places and EIT will be running multiple streams in some programmes.

When applications officially closed in November, 245 had registered for what was then 160 allocated places. The extra 50 places are to be spread across both campuses. As an indicator of response to the initiative, EIT business relations manager Paul Hursthouse pointed to Te Waha–Rerekohu Area School in Te Araroa where all the application forms were returned the following day, filled in and signed by students and their parents and caregivers.

“That shows great interest, particularly as the bus trip from the East Coast settlement to Gisborne is a 21/2 hour drive each way.”

The vast majority of secondary schools in the Tairäwhiti and Hawke’s Bay regions are participating.

The trades academy is also attracting the backing of such local industries as Gisborne Honda, Hastings Honda and Mills Honda Waipukurau – companies which will be actively supporting the automotive programme option to make projects more interesting for students.