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 - how can I apply for the funding?
Youth Guarantee funding has been fully allocated for 2011. Please refer to the other information on this website.
Why were a limited number of providers selected to participate in the Youth Guarantee initiative?
As there is limited Youth Guarantee funding available in 2011, providers were selected based on their prior SAC[1] performance, capacity and range of provision. Please refer to the provider selection process page for more information.
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 (PTE[2]s) or your Investment Manager (ITP[3]s and wānanga) to discuss an appropriate resolution.
Can students who have enrolled in school for the current academic year but wish to leave in the first month or later 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[4] 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 the academic year.
Will providers be able to provide pre-entry bridging/introductory courses as part of a Youth Guarantee programme?
Yes, provided that the bridging/introductory courses are NZQA[5] accredited, and lead to a qualification completion.
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 further study/training or employment, 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 aged 16 and 17 are not eligible to receive student loans or course-related costs 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). Please see the Youth Guarantee payment section for more information on how providers can assist students with course-related costs
Can students access student allowances such as the Independent Circumstances Benefit while on a Youth Guarantee programme?
Yes, as long as they meet the criteria for the Independent Circumstances Benefit, as set out by StudyLink.
Will students be eligible to claim travel costs, as they can for Youth Training?
No, Youth Guarantee funding does not include a travel allowance.
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 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.
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 source of funding code (22) is 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 2011. Reporting templates are available in the reporting section.