School leavers should consider Aoraki

Release: Immediate

Date: June 12, 2009

Roncalli careers adviser says:

School leavers should consider Aoraki before heading to distant universities

South Canterbury’s school leavers have been urged to look at the brilliant tertiary education opportunities right here under their noses in Timaru before enrolling in universities out of the district.

The call came from Roncalli College careers adviser Adrienne Quertier who this week joined 34 other teachers, careers advisers and principals of schools from Ashburton to Oamaru in an Aoraki Polytechnic careers orientation afternoon that included visits to two leading South Canterbury businesses, South Canterbury Textiles and Industrial Controls.

Ms Quertier used the analogy, “see your own country first, before travelling overseas” while describing a growing range of relevant workplace training programmes that she said marked out Aoraki Polytechnic as one of the country’s leading tertiary training providers.

“Many of our students often think tertiary training that will get them an excellent job means moving out of the district.

“But right here on their doorstep is an institution with brilliant opportunities for them, and where they don’t have to meet the increased costs of out-of-district travel and accommodation,” she said.

Polytechnics were once seen as a lesser option than a university, Ms Quertier said.

“But that’s changing as people, especially older generations, begin to understand the growing importance of skills training rather than academic training.

Increasingly, the view is that polytechnic training is now of the same value as university education,” she said.

The orientation session was convened by polytechnic marketing assistant Jann Stanbury and school liaison careers adviser Adrienne Barton.

Ms Stanbury said the school invitation list had been widened from previous years to include all secondary schools from Ashburton to Oamaru, and widened staff representation to include careers advisers, teachers and principals.

“We see it as important in the changing job market to give schools the opportunity to stay ahead of the best training options for their students as they make their way into the workforce.

“These school orientation sessions open channels and pathways for students by letting their teachers know of the opportunities available. They can then be guided into careers best suited to their talents and desires,” Ms Stanbury said.

She expressed gratitude to Andrew Miller, of South Canterbury Textiles and Dave McIver of Industrial Controls, “who has been very supportive of Aoraki with our new Schneider electrical laboratory”. She said these businesses were to be commended for giving up time to help provide options for school leavers.

Susan Dickson, careers adviser for Mt Hutt College, Methven, said the college and its students valued training opportunities provided by Aoraki.

“This day is important for some Year 12s who will be going on to apprenticeships and Year 13 students who will also have Aoraki training options.

Deputy principal of Roncalli College Gerry Hennessy said he also was at the polytechnic briefing “for our students”.

“We need to be regularly updating ourselves so that we are able to present a series of alternative programmes suitable to each student.

“We have many students who come here every year and I was pleased to notice as we were walking here today one of our ex-students hard at work on the Aoraki building site. He’s probably one of more than half a dozen students from our school who are here in training right now,” Mr Hennessy said.

Sharon Melrose said universities and polytechnics had clear and separate roles, but worked in harmony.

The careers adviser for Timaru Boys High School, she said she regarded highly the training options available at the polytechnic.

“I ask the boys, ‘Do you want to be the man who builds bridges, do you want to be the man who designs bridges, or do you want to be the man who drives the heavy machinery to help the bridge builders’. Answering these questions helps them decide which training options best suit them.”

Ms Melrose said one of the huge advantages for Aoraki Polytechnic students was that their tutors were drawn from the trades.

“We have one studying Outdoor Education here, some doing hospitality, some doing building and we also have a current class group which comes here on a Wednesday to study aspects in the building area. It’s a brilliant package.”

After the on-site visits, the school staff were treated to refreshments and a three-course meal in the Aoraki training Starz Restaurant prepared by cookery students and served by students from the Professional Restaurant, Wine and Bar Service programme.

ENDS

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