Ministry of Education initiatives

The Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource provides all state secondary schools with additional funding to access courses that provide greater opportunities for students by personalising learning pathways and facilitating a smooth transition to the workplace or further study.

Trades Academies focus on delivering trades and technology programmes to secondary students based on partnerships between schools, tertiary institutions, Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) and employers. Students in Years 9 to 13, interested in a career in trades or technology, can combine study at a Trades Academy with studies towards their NCEA.

The Youth Apprenticeships Scheme developed from the work being undertaken within 20 schools in 2008 and will be extended to all secondary schools by 2011. Starting at Year 9, the aim is to build clear industry related pathways so students are able to move through school in a logical way to careers in industry. Industry in this context relates to the 39 ITOs and the range of career options that link to them.