Waitomo and Otorohanga students to get best of both worlds

Waitomo and Otorohanga students to get the best of both worlds

Wintec, in partnership with four Waitomo and Otorohanga secondary schools, will open a Regional Trades Academy in Te Kuiti next week.

This academy, which opens on Monday, allows year 11-13 students interested in a career in trades or technology to combine practical tertiary study with studies towards their National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).

Twenty three year 11 students from Otorohanga College, Te Wharekura o Maniapoto, Te Kuiti High School and Piopio College will begin their first one-week block course on Monday. They will be building motorbikes as part of a project-driven teaching programme giving the students automotive, electrical and engineering skills and the relevant NCEA unit standards. The academy’s three-year programme will see students join attend six times a year, for one week each time. Ultimately it will encourage many students from the area to stay at school for longer by engaging them in hands-on learning.

Otorohanga College principal Timoti Harris said: “We are excited that six of our young people are participating in the Regional Trades Academy. These boys want to learn and they want to learn in a more practical way.”

“The trades academy not only allows our students to undertake study for three years in a success-focused environment, it also allows our young people to glimpse a world of higher study and see themselves as being able to be successful members within it. This initiative is all about supporting our young people grow and learn and ultimately about strengthening their future.”

Wintec chief executive Mark Flowers says: “Our aim for the Regional Trades Academy is to follow the success of the Waikato Trades Academy which in its first year had a 99 per cent pass rate, with 82 per cent of students returning for year two of the programme.”

“The Regional Trades Academy uses the same course material, teaching methods and tutors as the Waikato Trades Academy and will operate with community focus and input.”

“We’re also pleased to see a high Maori participation rate in the Regional Trades Academy programme – 70 per cent – which will help achieve our goal of improving Maori educational outcomes.”

The Regional Trades Academy is one of 16 throughout New Zealand and the second academy in the greater Waikato.

Background information

The Regional Trades Academy offers the National Certificate Level 2 Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Motor Industry.

Regional Trades Academy partner schools are: Otorohanga College, Te Wharekura o Maniapoto, Te Kuiti High School and Piopio College.

ENDS

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