Students on practical pathway to success

Uale Poe Poe wants to continue the automotive course next year. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Barriers to tertiary study broken down with initiative to get kids’ hands dirty, reports Raewyn Court.

Many who have received an academic education would admit they lack the skills to do practical things such as fixing appliances, cutting hair or repairing the car. And if they need carpentry, plumbing or electrical work done, building regulations will likely require the services of a qualified builder, plumber or electrician.

Academic careers tend to be encouraged in New Zealand secondary schools but with skills shortages in many trades now becoming serious, employers are turning to immigration to fill vacancies rather than to education and training, says Dr Stuart Middleton, centre director of Manukau Institute of Technology's Centre for Studies in Multiple Pathways.

He says that rather than some trades having gone out of fashion in recent years, "it is people's regard for the trades that has gone out of fashion because of the distracting emphasis placed on the necessity of getting a university degree. Technical qualifications, including degrees, will be much more likely to address New Zealand's skills shortages.

"In terms of job opportunities and salary prospects, a trade is a worthwhile career option for a young person today," Middleton says. "Future earning potential is excellent, not only due to the good starting rates that quickly reflect increases in skills, but the prospects of graduates moving to higher levels within the trades and the clear ease with which a business can be created and operate successfully."

In response to an increasing number of students at risk of dropping out of school in South Auckland, Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed an initiative for those students who have the potential to succeed, but are in danger of not completing their secondary education in the traditional, academic school environment.

The launch of MIT's Trades Training Academy (MITTA) in March was attended by representatives from Auckland Council, local secondary schools and industry partners. The programme enables students in years 11, 12 and 13 to study at MIT while at secondary school, achieving vocational credits towards NCEA and their MIT qualification.

"Traditional pathways to tertiary study don't work for everyone," Middleton says. "We want to break down the barriers to further education. Our overriding goal is to keep students engaged by offering choices in the way they learn, and practical, hands-on learning experiences."

MITTA opened its doors in February, offering 12 programmes, including carpentry and electrical, engineering and Cad, engineering and refrigeration, automotive, floristry and hospitality.

The first intake of 214 students was drawn from 18 secondary schools in South Auckland. Students in the programme attend high school four days a week, and spend the remaining day at MIT.

Middleton says there are issues with the transition from school into post-secondary education and training, but MITTA gives young people a much greater connection between the secondary and tertiary interface.

Dr Stuart Middleton.

"The student understands what the programme involves, where it is heading to in terms of jobs, and the kinds of futures that the technical and vocational lead to."

Middleton says the programme is flexible in that students change to another course if they are not enjoying their chosen trade.

"Our students use industry-standard equipment and learn from tutors who have on-the-job as well as educational experience," he says. "They do hands-on work and achieve credits in their chosen field, while completing their secondary education."

The programmes are delivered free, thanks to funding from the Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Commission. MITTA students are provided with all necessary equipment and safety gear and, in many cases, transport costs to and from the academy.

"The funding received is critical in enabling this programme to go ahead — not just the amount, but the flexibility in which it is able to be used," Middleton says. "The resources required for trades academies are not all that much more than is already spent on failing students in schools, but the outcomes are considerably greater."

Middleton says a positive side effect of the programme is that the courses seem to give students greater engagement in their secondary education, by seeing what education can lead to.

He says evidence in New Zealand and overseas confirms the programme develops a sense of purpose in the learning and developing of essential skills, re-engages the student in education generally, and prepares young people for further education and training, and for employment.

Uale Poe Poe, aged 16, is in Year 12 at Tuakau College, studying towards NCEA Level 2. At school, he's taking English, mathematics, outdoor education and building, but he's also doing an automotive and vehicle technology course at MITTA every Thursday.

He is gaining unit standard credits towards NCEA Level 2, but the course will also give him an endorsement in the Ministry of Education's Vocational Pathways manufacturing and technology sector.

Poe Poe says he chose the course because he's always been interested in cars. "I like working on them and fixing engines. The course is a good opportunity to see if fixing cars is something I want to do in the future. I enjoy it and I'd like to continue the course when I leave school."

Poe Poe says he's not finding it too difficult to keep up with his other schoolwork, despite missing one day of school each week. Transport to and from the course is arranged by Tuakau College, with train and bus fares reimbursed by MIT for most students. Poe Poe catches the train to his mother's place and then gets dropped off. He admits he enjoys the course at MIT more than being at school, but will wait until he graduates at the end of next year before leaving school. "I'd like to become a qualified mechanic, get some experience and maybe one day have my own automotive business."

Middleton says MITTA leads students into nationally recognised qualifications, "and then on to employment and all the prospects that go with that."