FAQ
The following questions and answers will provide you with more information on the Youth Guarantee initiative.
Topics covered include:
How does Youth Guarantee relate to the Trades Academies and Trades in Schools initiatives?
Youth Guarantee is a tertiary education initiative for students who have left school, while Trades Academies and Trades in Schools are for secondary school students. Further information on Trades Academies can be found on the Ministry of Education website.
I meet the criteria for Youth Guarantee, so how can I apply for the funding?
Youth Guarantee funding has been fully allocated for 2010. Please refer to the other information on this website.
Why were a limited number of providers selected to participate in the Youth Guarantee initiative?
This is the pilot phase of the Youth Guaratee scheme which is being rolled out on a small scale in 2010 to selected providers. Selection was based on eligibility criteria and location (delivering programmes in regions of high need).
What further information are providers required to ask Youth Guarantee students on the enrolment form?
The student information required on Youth Guarantee enrolment forms is up to each individual provider to complete, taking into account the information they need to enrol Youth Guarantee students. Please refer to the published student eligibility and provider requirements.
Will there be flexibility in accepting students who are outside the eligibility criteria for age?
There will be no flexibility extended to the eligibility criteria for age as the initiative is targeted at a very specific group of learners. This means that students who are 15 but have school exemption would not be eligible for Youth Guarantee. If your organisation has trouble filling its allocated number of places, please contact either the Service Centre (PTEs) or your Investment Manager (ITPs) to discuss an appropriate resolution.
Can students who have enrolled in school for the 2010 year but wish to leave in the first month then enrol in Youth Guarantee?
If there are still Youth Guarantee places available and your organisation allows enrolments up to this time then yes, these students can enrol in Youth Guarantee so long as they still complete 0.8 EFTS worth of study.
However, providers should be mindful of the performance outcomes that are being measured. For the purposes of determining future allocations it is advisable that all Youth Guarantee students be enrolled as early as possible in 2010.
When can students sign up for Youth Guarantee courses?
Students can enrol for programmes starting in 2010 when the enrolment period begins at individual TEOs.
Are students that have completed NCEA[1] level 1 and have some units towards NCEA level 2 (but have not achieved the full qualification) eligible for Youth Guarantee?
Yes, students that have achieved NCEA level 1 and have some credits towards, but have not achieved level 2,are eligible for Youth Guarantee in 2010.
Can I refer learners to a Youth Guarantee programme?
Yes, provided they meet the student eligibility criteria.
Will providers be able to provide pre-entry bridging courses as part of the Youth Guarantee? Yes, provided that the bridging courses are NZQA[2] accredited, and lead to a qualification completion.
Does the TEC expect completions to occur in the first year?
Yes. Performance will be measured as the proportion of students who complete their qualification within a year of enrolling.
How will the TEC ensure that providers do not charge fees for Youth Guarantee programmes?
Not charging fees is a funding condition by which providers must abide.
Will there be attendance requirements for students? Will students have to pass a certain percentage of their courses?
Students must be enrolled full-time to do a full year of study. There is neither a set percentage of courses that must be passed nor a set number of days that must be attended. However, future allocations will be dependent on provider outcomes which include rates of retention, successful course completions, progression to further education and training, and progression in literacy, language and numeracy skills (as measured by the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions).
If a student leaves a Youth Guarantee programme early to find employment, will this be considered as a positive outcome for performance monitoring processes?
The primary objective of the Youth Guarantee is to increase the educational achievement for 16-17 year-olds. Therefore, performance measures and future allocations will be based on educational performance measures.
What is pastoral care? How will institutions provide pastoral care?
Pastoral care relates to the ability of TEOs to provide a smooth transition from school towards employment or further study/training, and to support students towards achieving successful outcomes. Providers will be expected to have well established facilities and student support services that are tailored to learner needs and that also address cultural needs. See the section on pastoral care for example of support that providers can offer to Youth Guarantee students.
Why aren’t Youth Guarantee learners eligible for student loans? Can learners access course-related costs?
Youth Guarantee learners are not eligible to receive student loans administered through StudyLink as there is no course fee charged to the learner for Youth Guarantee programmes. Providers are responsible for ensuring that learners enrolled in their Youth Guarantee programmes are not claiming any components of the student loan through StudyLink (including compulsory fees, course-related costs and/or living costs).
Can students access student allowances such as the Independent Youth Benefit or Independent Circumstances Benefit while on a Youth Guarantee programme?
Yes, as long as the 16 or 17 year-olds meet the criteria for the Independent Youth Benefit, as set out by Work and Income New Zealand and the Independent Circumstances Benefit, as set out by StudyLink.
Will students be eligible to claim travel costs, as they can for Youth Training?
No.
Will the $4,500 payment be allocated on the same basis as SAC EFTS?
Yes, the $4,500 component will be paid to the TEOs on the same basis as SAC EFTS.
What funding rates do providers receive for Youth Guarantee programmes?
Funding rates will be the SAC (and TEOC if applicable) funding rates for the relevant course category, plus $4,500 (GST exclusive) to cover pastoral care, fee and course costs.
Will the $4,500 be adjusted to reflect the cost category for each course?
No. The $4,500 allocation is a flat rate across all providers receiving a Youth Guarantee allocation.
Please see the archive for questions relating to the provider selection process.
How will providers separate Youth Guarantee students from general SAC funded students in the SDR (given that the places were awarded to providers with existing qualifications and PC codes)?
Youth Guarantee students must be identified separately from other SAC enrolments for reporting purposes. A new Source of Funding code (22) will be available for use when reporting Youth Guarantee enrolments. This source of funding code should be used instead of the usual SAC source of funding code. Details of the new code and the associated validation rules can be found in the 2010 SDR manual that is available from the STEO website at the Ministry of Education www.steo.govt.nz.
Does the TEC wish to collect any more information for these students than is currently collected when enrolling SAC students?
Yes, further reporting will be required for Youth Guarantee in 2010. Reporting templates have been sent to your organisation’s contact person and are available in the reporting section.