Course enrolments on rise

Rising numbers of students are eyeing degrees and health studies at UCOL Wairarapa in a bid to enhance future job prospects, says campus manager Angela Hewitt.

There are two degree programmes available on the Masterton campus, including bachelor of nursing, which has attracted students since it was introduced eight years ago, and in partnership with the Open Polytechnic, the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood), which was introduced last year.

Ms Hewitt said 123 students were studying on the three-year degree programmes this year.

The increase included 97 students studying for a bachelor of nursing degree, compared with 82 last year.

"Our usual intake of first year students is 30 but this year it is up to 38. The important thing is that we have been able to arrange clinical experience for all of them, although some of it will be a bit further afield in Dannevirke and Wellington."

More people are also studying for an early childhood degree, up from 16 last year to 27 this year.

Ms Hewitt said there was early interest in the introduction to the health science certificate level 3 as well.

"The programme starts in the second semester but enrolments are already in double figures. Many students gain confidence and skills by doing the certificate first and then progress to the bachelor of nursing programme."

Ms Hewitt said the increase in students undertaking degrees and health programmes, suggested students were thinking carefully about choosing qualifications that offered reasonable employment prospects.

"There's an awareness that higher level qualifications count in a tight job market."

Enrolments in the certificates in early childhood education and business management and computing, and the diploma in beauty therapy were steady, she said, compared with last year.

There will be 333 students, who have enrolled or have enrolments in the pipeline, studying at the UCOL Wairarapa campus this semester, compared with 289 at the same time last year.

The roll includes 32 secondary students on U-Skills Trades Academy programmes.