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Trades Academy Level 3 Programmes
Take your skills to the next level with Trades Academy Level 3. These advanced programmes are designed for students ready to build on their existing knowledge, gain industry-relevant experience and prepare for further study, apprenticeships or employment. Click on a programme below to learn more about the course, what you'll study, and where it could take you.
Agriculture - Level 3 (Tairāwhiti Only)
Care for our environment
Looking after the environment is critical to the future of our local agriculture industry.
This programme offers you the key skills the industry needs.

Course Aim
To equip students with the practical skills, industry knowledge, and environmental awareness needed to contribute to a sustainable and productive agriculture industry, while exploring pathways into further study and employment.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Primary Industries
ISB: Food and Fibre / *Services
Offered in: Tairāwhiti
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Health and safety practices in rural and environmental work settings.
- Farm fencing construction and maintenance skills.
- Native plant propagation, growth, and care.
- Riparian planting and waterway restoration practices.
- Practical teamwork, problem-solving, and outdoor work skills.
- An understanding of conservation and agriculture career pathways.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- Tūranga Ararau.
- Offsite commercial farms.
- Farm equipment and vehicles.
Animal Care - Level 3 (Hawke's Bay Only)
Perfect for animal lovers
Do you like working with and looking after animals, or are you thinking of a possible career in animal care or veterinary nursing? Gain knowledge and practical skills in caring for and managing a range of animals in EIT’s purpose-built animal handling facilities.

Course Aim
To provide students with the skills and knowledge to care for dogs, rodents, and rabbits, with a strong focus on health, husbandry, and emergency first aid. It prepares learners for further study or entry-level employment in the animal care and welfare industry, building confidence in safe, ethical, and professional animal handling.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Primary Industries
ISB: Food and Fibre
Offered in: Hawke’s Bay
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Have learned to handle and provide appropriate care for dogs, rabbits and rodents.
- Identify, handle, restrain, groom, feed, house, and transport animals safely and ethically.
- Recognise signs of normal and abnormal health, carry out routine care procedures, and apply correct nutrition and housing standards.
- Apply immediate first aid and supportive therapy for injured or unwell animals until veterinary care is available.
- Have decided if they wish to pursue a career working with animals.
Resources
Students will have access to:
-
EIT Animal Room

Automotive - Level 3
Build the skills and really start your engine
Thinking about a career in the automotive industry? Take your skills to the next level while working towards NCEA Level 3. Gain hands-on experience using specialist tools and equipment, servicing and repairing vehicles, working with wheels and tyres, and learning how to cost, quote and invoice workshop jobs.

Course Aim
To provide students with the opportunity to experience some of the work of an automotive mechanic to assist them in making an informed decision regarding further study and/or employment, as it relates to the pursuit of an automotive engineering career.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Manufacturing and Technology
ISB: Transport
Offered in: Hawke’s Bay & Tairāwhiti
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate knowledge in the following areas:
- Automotive workshop safety.
- Engine systems.
- Driveline systems.
- Brake systems.
- Steering and suspension systems.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- EIT Trades Workshops

Bakery - Level 3
Rise to the challenge
Love baking and ready to turn your passion into a career? In this hands-on course you’ll develop practical baking skills, from breads and pastries to cakes and cookies, while learning product presentation and safe food preparation in a commercial kitchen.

Course Aim
To provide students with the opportunity to experience working in a bakery to assist them in making an informed decision for further study and/or employment.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Service Industries
ISB: Manufacturing and Engineering
Offered in: Hawke’s Bay & Tairāwhiti
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Have developed knowledge and skills in baking methods and bakery workplace practices.
- Have the knowledge and skills in preparing and making bakery products including cakes, biscuits and scones.
- Have the knowledge and skills in preparing and making sweet and savoury pastry products including tarts, pies, quiche and eclairs.
- Have decided if they wish to pursue a career in working in a bakery.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- EIT commercial kitchen.

Building and Construction - Level 3
Nail the skills for a career in construction
Ready to build your future? If a career in construction interests you, this hands-on course will help you develop practical skills in building and safety regulations, reading plans and architectural drawings, working on real-life building projects, and exploring a range of related construction trades.

Course Aim
To provide students with the opportunity to explore career options in the construction trades and develop higher level skills so they are well-prepared to follow these career options.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Construction and Infrastructure
ISB: Construction and Specialist Trades
Offered in: Hawke’s Bay & Tairāwhiti
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Have developed knowledge and skills in building and safety regulations.
- Be able to interpret simple building plans and architectural drawings.
- Perform measurement and appropriate Level 3 BCATS calculations.
- Have contributed and participated in the construction of a real-life building.
- Gain an understanding of the construction trades, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, joinery, roofing, scaffolding, home insulation and plastering, which enables them to choose a career path.
Venue and Timetable:
This course will be taught two days per week at the EIT Taradale campus, unless negotiated otherwise between the Contributing School and the HBTSTA Manager.
This course will be taught one day per week at the EIT Tairāwhiti campus, unless negotiated otherwise between the Contributing School and the HBTSTA Manager.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- EIT Trades Workshops

Early Childhood Education - Level 3 (Hawke's Bay)
Take the first step towards a rewarding career working with children!
If you’re passionate about working with children, this course is the perfect place to start. Develop your knowledge of children’s learning and development, discover the importance of play in early childhood, and create fun, engaging learning resources for young learners.

Course Aim
To provide students with knowledge and experience in the care and education of infants, toddlers and young mokopuna/children to enable informed decision-making for further study and/or employment.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Social and Community Services
ISB: Education, Health and Community
Offered in: Hawke’s Bay
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of mokopuna/children’s holistic development and learning in an early childhood setting.
- Describe the value of play and create resources for children’s learning and development in an early childhood setting.
- Describe respectful, reciprocal and responsive relationships with mokopuna/children in an early childhood setting.
- Develop skills to observe and analyse learning and development of a mokopuna/child in an early childhood setting.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- EIT School of Education and Social Sciences.

Electrical - Level 3
Ignite the Spark in you
Have a talent for problem solving? Discover what it’s like to work in the electrical industry as you learn basic electrical techniques, explore the foundations of electricity, and develop the skills and knowledge to take the first step towards a career as an electrician.

Course Aim
The purpose of this course is to introduce high school students to the level 3 requirements in the electrical industry. Including electrical safety, tools used by an electrician, flexible cords used, connections of fixed wired appliances and basic fault finding.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Construction and Infrastructure
ISB: Electrotechnology, Information Technology and Creative
Offered in: Hawke’s Bay & Tairāwhiti
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- An understanding in the safe working practices used in the electrical industry.
- The selection of hand and power tools used (and maintained) in the electrical industry.
- How to select and install a flexible cord for appliances and accessories.
- How to safely disconnect and reconnect fixed wired appliances.
- A basic understanding of appliance testing for electrical safety.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- Electrical laboratory and workshop with tools, electrical test instruments, electrical appliances, cables and mock up walls for practical experiences.

Engineering - Level 3
Welder, Fabricator, Machinist: your choice
Love building things and solving problems? Discover what it’s like to be an engineer as you design with CAD software, learn welding techniques, and build projects such as go-karts.

Course Aim
To provide students with the opportunity to experience engineering skills and techniques to assist them in making an informed decision for further study and/or employment.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Engineering
ISB: Manufacturing and Engineering
Offered in: Hawke’s Bay & Tairāwhiti
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Have the knowledge and skills to apply safe welding principles.
- Have the knowledge and skills to use CAD software under supervision.
- Have the knowledge of health and safety on the worksite.
- Have decided if they wish to pursue a career working in an engineering industry.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- EIT Trades Workshops

Forestry - Level 3 - (Tairāwhiti Only)
Grow the people with the trees
Forestry is the fastest growing industry in Tairāwhiti offering a range of sustainable career opportunities. Join us and learn the following pre entry skills and knowledge.

Course Aim
To provide students with the opportunity to explore the forestry industry and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence required for further study, training, and employment in this growing sector. Students will gain an understanding of sustainable forestry practices, health and safety requirements, and the diverse career opportunities available across the forestry industry.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Primary Industries
ISB: Food and Fibre / *Services
Offered in: Tairāwhiti
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Develop knowledge of forestry health, safety, and hazard management.
- Gain foundation skills for working in the forestry industry.
- Learn to safely maintain and operate a chainsaw.
- Develop communication, teamwork, and emergency response skills.
- Understand sustainable forestry practices and cultural environmental values.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- Tūranga Ararau.
Hair and Beauty Services - Level 3
Let your passion for hair and beauty shine.
Build on the skills you learned at Level 2 as you develop your hairstyling techniques, including blow-drying, braiding and hair-up styles, while gaining hands-on experience in skin treatments and client care.

Course Aim
To provide students with product knowledge, practical skills, self-styling skills and makeup services. These skills and techniques will assist them in making an informed decision on further study and/or employment.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Service Industries
ISB: Services
Offered in: Hawke’s Bay & Tairāwhiti
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Have conducted a skin consultation to determine skin type and condition.
- Have performed a skincare service in preparation for make-up application.
- Have developed personal hygiene and self-styling skills appropriate for employment in a salon.
- Demonstrate designing hairstyles.
- Be able to style long hair.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- EIT salon environment.

Pikitoi - Level 3
Explore the vibrancy and creativity of Māori art!
Are you interested in exploring Māori visual art? Come and explore Māori design concepts within EIT.

Course Aim
To provide students with the opportunity to experience working in the Māori Arts and design field.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Creative Industries
ISB: NZQA
Offered in: Hawke’s Bay & Tairāwhiti
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Developed theoretical and practical knowledge about Māori design and art elements.
- Developed skills in Māori design practices.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- Toihoukura – School of Māori Visual Arts, EIT Gisborne Campus.
- IDEASchool – School of Visual Arts and Design, EIT Taradale Campus.

Services Preparation - Level 3
Best foot forward for the Forces
Thinking about a career in the New Zealand Defence Force or Police? This course will help you build the confidence, fitness, teamwork and outdoor skills needed to prepare for training and recruitment.

Course Aim
To provide students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to apply for training or employment in the New Zealand Defence Force or New Zealand Police.
The course also aims to assist students in making an informed decision for further study and/or employment.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Social and Community Services
ISB: Services/*NZQA
Offered in: Hawke’s Bay & Tairāwhiti
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in bush walking and land-based navigation.
- Understand and assist in the pre-activity planning for outdoor activities.
- Show the ability to work effectively in a team.
- Manage and evaluate personal health and wellbeing to participate in recreational activities.
- Have decided if they wish to pursue a career in the NZ Defence Force or Police.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- EIT Institute of Sport & Health (EIT ISH).

Workbased Learning - Level 3
Prepare yourself for the working world
Get workplace ready with a course designed to complement your other Trades Academy studies. Build practical skills, gain career exposure and develop the confidence to transition from the classroom into the workforce.

Course Aim
To provide students with the opportunity to develop work and life skills in preparation for a successful transition into a workplace learning.
Level 3 Vocational Pathway: Depends on negotiated course of study
ISB: Depends on negotiated course of study
Offered in: Hawke’s Bay & Tairāwhiti
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- These will depend on the study course that has been negotiated between the student, the School and the HBTSTA Manager.
Resources
Students will have access to:
- These will depend on the study course that has been negotiated between the student, the School and the HBTSTA Manager.
Unit/Achievement Standards:
These will depend on the study course that has been negotiated between the student, the School and the HBTSTA Manager.
