Marco has achieved NCEA Level 2 with a Vocational Pathway in Manufacturing & Technology, the qualification considered as crucial for success in further education and work-based training. The credits also align with what is necessary in the first year of an electrical apprenticeship, so he is well on his way to a bright future.
He also completed the Gateway placement unit package supplied by Skills.org.nz, and he achieved the Electrotechnology 101 certificate, the first student in New Zealand to achieve that this year.
Gateway programmes are aligned to Vocational Pathways which provide a useful tool for course planning to provide cohesive learning options that are recommended by industry.
General manager for Laser Electrical Whangarei, Ryan Trigg, says they have had only positive experiences with the students sent their way.
"We are always on the lookout for new apprentices. Generally we take a new one every year and have two or three placements," said Mr Trigg.
"If the students are any good, we look at taking the next step. We have a couple of the guys trained up as assessors. It's up to the students to fill out the paperwork and if they do the job well and learn on site, we are happy to sign off their credits."
Bream Bay College Co-ordinator, Gina D'Ath says the school puts 48 students through the placement programme each year.
"It is an awesome taster for students to experience industries they may not otherwise have the opportunity to," she said.
"We have a small community but some big industry players such as Marsden Point Oil Refinery and NIWA's landmark Bream Bay Aquaculture Park. Our goal as a school is to work with industry to keep improving the links between education and the workforce.
"A lot of that work is understanding what each of us is doing, and meeting needs."
- This article was submitted to our Youth Advocate page by Bream Bay College
