Hastings Boys’ High School Year 11 students Thomas Plows and Tangaroa Tuahine enjoyed seeing the displays at Discovery Day

EIT has a range of programmes and services that are designed to facilitate a smooth transition for students from high school to tertiary study and even careers in different local industries.

Paul Hursthouse, EIT’s Director of Business Relationships and Transitions, says EIT has a strong focus on supporting students as they transition from high school into further education or directly into the workforce.

“We have a number of ways in which we can assist students to find the correct pathway for them into a successful career.”

These include the Trades Academy, STAR (Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource) and the e2e (Education to Employment) service. There is also the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) funded Gateway programme, which provides schools with the opportunity for the students to go on industry placements. While the TEC deals directly with schools for Gateway, Paul says EIT is happy to play any role that supports students transition from secondary school to the workforce or further education and training.

“We have staff available who can help students and schools, whether it is through the Gateway programme, or our own Trades Academy, STAR programme or the e2e service”

The Trades Academy, at EIT’s Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay campuses, works with secondary schools to provide year-long trades programmes to help students achieve NCEA Level 2 and prepare for higher-level study. Students attend Trades Academy each week, gaining  vocational skills and getting hands on experience. Some schools have extended this to Year 11 and Year 13.

Paul says the Trades Academy allows students to kickstart their vocational pathway while at school.

In the STAR programme, schools are funded to place students on tertiary courses while still attending school. Students may commence study towards credit for unit standards, national certificates, diplomas or degrees. Enrolment options range from joining EIT classes to courses run specifically for groups of secondary students. Flexible delivery options include block courses in school holidays, distance learning programmes, and off-campus activity.

Education to Employment (e2e) encourages the coordination and support of employers and the local business community to be involved in vocational education, employment and development opportunities for young people. The primary goal of the e2e programme is to help connect industry with schools so that students can identify possible career pathways.

As part of this, EIT recently hosted a Discovery Day on the Hawke’s Bay Campus – an event that was attended by hundreds of senior secondary school students (Year 11-13) .

“Discovery Day is designed to enable the students and public to engage with employers, industry, and educators to discover the vast range of career options available locally and beyond,” says Paul.

For Paul and EIT, no matter what programme is chosen, the main objective is to ensure that local secondary school students have a choice of pathways and opportunities to successful careers.

Students or their whānau can find out more by phoning 0800-2255-348 and asking for the Liaison Team.