Youth Guarantee initiatives already in place

Trades Academies

Trades Academies are partnerships between schools, tertiary providers and industry training organisations (ITOs). Trades Academies provide 16 to 17-year olds with the opportunity to combine a secondary school programme with learning in tertiary education and/or industry settings.

Senior secondary students enrolled in a Trades Academy programme can make a start on their trades career without paying fees and earn credits towards NCEA at the same time.

Students remain enrolled with their secondary school. This means they keep their links with school, and can still take part in sporting and cultural activities.

In January 2011, eight Trades Academies opened around the country. They were New Zealand's first secondary-tertiary programme of this type that's recognised by the Ministry of Education. The Trades Academies operating now are:

Tai Tokerau Trades Academy (Northland)
Southern Cross Trades Academy (Auckland)
Eastern Bay of Plenty Trades Academy (Whakatane)
Waikato Trades Academy (Hamilton)
New Zealand Primary Industries Trades Academy
Primary Industries Trades Academy
Wellington Trades Academy
Canterbury Trades College (Christchurch)

There will be 13 new Trades Academies opening next year – eight will operate from February and five from mid year. They are:

UCOL (covering Palmerston North, Manawatu, Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Whanganui)
Nelson/Tasman
West Auckland
Manurewa (Auckland)
Central Lakes (Otago)
National Trade Academy (Christchurch)
Taumarunui
Tamaki College (Auckland)
Kelston Girls’ College (Auckland)
Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Hawkes Bay Trades Academy (to incorporate East Coast)
Taranaki Trades Academy
West Coast Trades Academy

Youth Guarantee places

There are currently 2,500 full time Youth Guarantee student places at 39 polytechnics and private training establishments around New Zealand. These places allow young people under the age of 18 who have left school to study a range of vocational courses, without paying student fees.

These young people are re-engaging with learning, and gaining valuable skills and qualifications that will help them in the workplace.

In 2012 Youth Guarantee and Youth Training places will combine under Youth Guarantee. This will bring the total number of fees-free tertiary places in tertiary education to 7,500.

Service Academies

Service Academies offer young people outdoor education, physical fitness, goal setting, leadership and life skills while they work towards NCEA. The New Zealand Defence Force runs the academies within low decile secondary schools around the country. Service Academies are funded for up to 20 mostly year 12 and 13 students.

Attendance at the academies transforms students’ motivation levels, academic achievement, behaviour and physical fitness (source: Education Review Office report August 2011). The same study found that of the 16 Service Academies reviewed, most provided high-quality education and support for their students.

The Service Academies are:

Glenfield College
James Cook High School
Kelston Boys’ High School
Onehunga High School
Wairoa College
Horowhenua College
Mana College
Aranui High School
Tikipunga High School
Waitakere College
Tamaki College
Otahuhu College
Tokoroa High School
Te Kuiti High School
Wanganui City College
Gisborne Girls’ High School
Opihi College
Greymouth High School
Logan Park High School.

What students are saying about Service Academies

"I can see a better path for myself. It’s very positive and uplifting."

"I was suspended from school for fighting. I was always angry and hated myself. I’m not going back there again. I’ve changed. I’ve got a purpose now. My parents are very happy and proud."

"I used to hate my teachers but staff (academy director or assistant director) really cares about us even though he is very strict. I’d do anything for him because he takes an interest in me."
Source: ERO August 2011

Service Academy student stories

Case study one:

One student was verbally and physically capable but had very poor social skills. He had not made any friends and was depressed and withdrawn. After joining the academy he made friends who have supported him as a member of the academy team. They accepted his differences and have included him in their social and physical activities, including at the weekend. His parents are very happy that he has friends and a social network that look after him. He re-joined the academy in 2011 and is more confident, outgoing and completing NCEA Level 2 (ERO Review August 2011).

Case study two:

Wiremu was a highly academic year 12 student who was interested in the military. The academy allowed him to pursue this interest and stay on at school for year 13. Wiremu has been recruited into the army (ERO Review August 2011).

Names have been changed to protect privacy.

Vocational pathways

Five new vocational pathways for young people are being developed, through a partnership between industry training organisations and the education sector. They will clarify the existing array of options so students and their families can see the connection between what students learn at school and what industries it could lead them to.

The pathways will describe the outcomes, standards and competencies valued by broad sectors of industry. With defined pathways, students will be able to see how the subjects they study and the standards they achieve might lead to areas of employment. Five initial pathways are being developed in manufacturing and technology, construction and infrastructure, the primary industries, social and community services, and the service industries. When the pathways are available, students will be able to follow them in schools, tertiary organisations or Trades Academies.

Other Youth Guarantee initiatives

The wider vision for the Youth Guarantee is for the education system to work more smoothly for students when they move from secondary to tertiary settings. This includes more effective tracking and monitoring students, improved care of students, and strengthened career advice and guidance.