NorthTec’s MyStart introduction days register with youths

NorthTec’s MyStart introduction days register with youths

Informative advice aimed at 16 to 17 year-olds and youth education agencies, was offered by NorthTec at its last two MyStart introduction days it held around the region which has helped several youths make up their minds about what career paths they now feel they can pursue.

The introduction days at Whangarei, Kaitaia, and Rawene in the Hokianga, were designed by NorthTec staff to give 16 to 17 year-olds (eligible for the programme) as much information as possible, so the youngsters could assess whether or not vocational training or learning a trade fitted with their career aspirations.

NorthTec MyStart (youth guarantees programme) Manager Clinton Ashill was chuffed with the total numbers that attended the three introduction days, saying it enabled vital information about the programme to be passed along to those it was intended to give assistance to before MyStart gets underway starting in March.

Before being addressed by the various Programme tutors/speakers associated with the programme’s first year electives, Mr Ashill pointed out the youth guarantees initiative by the Government, was an opportunity for the youths to try what was on offer at NorthTec.

“I definitely wish I had the same opportunities at your age,” he said.

Mr Ashill told the youths at Kaitaia, the MyStart Programme at NorthTec was built around finding out where they wanted to go, with numerous options available to them that they could try if they wanted.

“You don’t have to be limited in where you think you can go...with education at tertiary level, you can find alternative pathways along the way too,” he said.

It was a sentiment shared by tutor Martin Bryers. He mentioned when the youth guarantees programme first came on line last August, a student of his went into the Introduction to Trades and Technology first year option, as his father was a mechanic by trade, and the student felt he had to follow his father’s career path. However, by exploring it, the student realised it wasn’t what he wanted to be doing, and is currently looking into his passion which was digital media and animation.

“Finding a pathway you are going to enjoy, that certainly helps,” Mr Bryers said.

The advice offered at the introduction days between February 8 and 16, was welcomed by those that attended.

Reign Watling (Kaikohe), and Leroy Marshall (Kawakawa), who attended Rawene’s introduction day on February 16, were both keen on registering for the Introduction to Trades and Technology Year 1 option. They both “hated” being at school, sitting down to learn what they considered was irrelevant information to them, as they preferred more hands-on practical learning to hold their interest.

“I just want to build stuff and fix what needs fixing,” Reign said following the information session at Rawene.

He said he was pleasantly surprised about what the introduction day provided him which he said was not the sign-up session he had thought it would be.

Meanwhille, Matty Herlihy and David Sullivan of Kaitaia were intending to register interest in the Introduction to Sport and Recreation option, as they both like the outdoors and say it is where they would like to forge a career as it is where they feel most comfortable. Matthew said he hopes to eventually become a fitness instructor for the Royal New Zealand Airforce.

ends

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