The Hawke’s Bay Schools Trades Academy will be officially launched on Friday.

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

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

Because of the high demand, we were granted an additional 60 places.

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

The trades academy is also attracting the backing of local companies including Gisborne Honda, Hastings Honda and Mills Honda in Central Hawke’s Bay. They are supporting the automotive option to make projects more interesting for students.