More free study places at Wairarapa UCOL

Friday 9 December 2011
Teenagers offered more free study places at Wairarapa UCOL

UCOL Wairarapa is now able to increase the number of places on the Youth Guarantee programme which provides free study to 16 and 17 year olds who want to start vocational training.

Campus Manager Angela Hewlett says applications for the new places are open now.

This year UCOL Wairarapa filled four allotted places on the Government’s Youth Guarantee initiative which aims to make tertiary education available to students who may be struggling in school settings and want to focus on vocational qualifications. UCOL has now been allocated extra places for next year.

Youth Guarantee offers a full year of study to students who are selected in cooperation with local secondary schools and the Social Development Ministry, with the involvement of parents and guardians.

Angela says UCOL Wairarapa has a great range of programmes to offer Youth Guarantee students. “They include certificates in Hairdressing, Cookery, Baking and Pastry, Joinery, Automotive, Early Childhood Education, Health Science and Business Administration and Computing.

“In most cases these are six month programmes so students can decide to do two of them during their free study year,” she says. “This means that, as well as qualifications, they get a taster for a possible career and may decide to go on to further study. It’s a great opportunity for young people who have perhaps grown past secondary school and want to make a start on their future in a tertiary setting, where they can learn new skills and increase their employment prospects.”

She says the ability to study without having to pay fees will also benefit students and their families with limited resources. “We are looking for students who are motivated and committed to study so they make the most of their study at UCOL Wairarapa, and have the support of their family to do so.

“We will provide excellent support for them during their time with us. This year’s students, like Tegan Anderson, have done really well. We want next year’s students to be just as successful.”

Students and their parents interested in securing a Youth Guarantee place at UCOL Wairarapa should contact: Sharon Jolliffe or Brett Tickner on 06 9462300.

Tegan’s story
Last year, aged 16, Tegan Anderson was bored and only fully engaged in physical education at her school. Now she has a Hairdressing qualification, an apprenticeship at a top Masterton salon and big plans for her future.

Tegan was one of four students selected to study at UCOL Wairarapa during 2011, under the Youth Guarantee programme which provides free study for 16 and 17 year olds ready to move on to vocational training. “Mum heard about Youth Guarantee, we made inquiries and found it sounded right for me!” she says. “I really was over school and ready to move on to start building a career.”

She already had her eye on hairdressing after work experience at a local salon so UCOL Wairarapa Certificate in Hairdressing (Salon Support) Level 3 was an obvious choice for study. She was the second youngest in the class, and says she had to learn to work with older students. “The culture is also just so different from school. The lecturers are very hands-on and can give you individual attention, tailored to your needs. I loved learning new skills, knowing they would help me reach my career goals.

In January Tegan starts her apprenticeship at The Cutting Edge salon in Solway. Her plan is to finish her apprenticeship and stay in Masterton then later to travel and work overseas. “I want to learn new techniques and the latest trends. Then I want to open my own salon.”

She rates Youth Guarantee for giving her an opportunity and a hand up when she needed it. “My family are over the moon about how it’s turned out.”

ENDS

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