Unlocking the future for students in the north

Media release:

NorthTec’s Foundation Studies programme unlocks future for students in the north

NorthTec’s Foundation Studies programme is providing students in the north with the opportunity to re-engage with learning and work towards new careers.

Foundation Studies student at NorthTec’s Kerikeri campus, Tom Reihana, decided to take a new direction in life after realising that he didn’t have enough qualifications to support his future plans. “The world is changing and I want to keep up...I saw it as an opportunity that was knocking.”

Tom is a hands-on person and wants to start his own business but says that even practical people need skills like computing. “A lot of people chase after money but they don’t realise that they’ve missed the avenue of bettering their skills.”
Friends and family have been supportive of him becoming a full-time student. “I was a bit shy about telling people I was going back to school but my friends and family are right behind me. You need that support.”

Tom is surprised by how different the experience of learning at NorthTec’s Kerikeri campus is from his memories of school. “I enjoy it much more. It’s like a hometown here.”

With his children now grown up Tom feels that it’s time to pursue his dream. “It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you sacrifice those two-three years to study you’d be amazed by what you can achieve. I’m focused on getting a job and a career and doing the work as well as I can.”

Kaitaia Foundation Studies student Kreisna Ratima is using the programme as a stepping stone towards a career as a nurse.

“I was working as an office worker and in a call centre before I moved up to Kaitaia but I decided that I wanted to have a career where I worked with people. I wasn’t sure whether that would be as a teacher or a nurse. To get back into studying I decided to do Foundation Studies. It’s really helped me get the basics to set me on the path towards enrolling for NorthTec’s nursing degree.”

Kreisna’s marks have been excellent and she’s had great encouragement from the tutors and support staff at the Kaitaia campus. “I pull on the resources available to me because I want it to work. The staff here have given me heaps of help – this means a lot to me, particularly because I don’t have my extended family around me here.”

“It’s been a challenge. I’ve found learning how to write essays difficult. But my peers are awesome. We work together and study as a group.”

With two children ages 9 and 11, Kreisna has to juggle study and family commitments but she says her children have been wonderful. “I’m here to study and work hard and they give me their support by allowing me to study. Study is all about my children and providing for our future.”

NorthTec Foundation Studies tutor at the Kaitaia campus, Gayle Hill says that it’s great to see how students find their direction and define their life goals during the 17-week programme. “The programme provides a good grounding for them to pursue work or further study and really allows them to get back on track and do what they need to do to get out into the workplace again.”

Students learn computer skills, mathematics, academic skills and pursue an optional subject such as ‘Introduction to Business Administration’ or ‘Human Biology’.

“Students gain a lot of confidence during the programme. They leave with a real sense that they can do what they’re aiming for.”
Later this year several of Gayle’s former Foundation Studies students will complete their nursing degree at NorthTec. “It’s great to know that Foundation Studies played a part in enabling those students to achieve their goal.”

NorthTec is holding information sessions about its Foundation Studies programme at its Kerikeri and Kaitaia campuses on Friday, 28 May from 10am to 1pm.

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