UCOL graduates mark stepping into new era

Jason Jetson is among three of the Certificate in Carpentry students who have managed to land apprenticeships and who will tomorrow afternoon celebrate at Masterton Town Hall among 180 Wairarapa UCOL graduates who last year earned a total of 237 degrees, certificate and diplomas.
The Masterton 19-year-old said he had always been interested in construction, ''and I was really pleased to be able to study locally at UCOL''.
''The programme is well regarded in the industry so it is a real 'leg up' into a new career,'' he said.
Campus manager Angela Hewitt said many programmes have other qualifications embedded in them, so students may come away with several nationally recognised qualifications.
''It adds to their employability when they move into the job market,'' she said.
Although the numbers attending graduation have increased in recent years, many students have already been snapped up by employers, some outside the Wairarapa region, making attendance difficult, Ms Hewitt said.
''However it's for the best possible reason. We are always delighted to hear that our graduates have been successful in the careers of their choice.''
UCOL deputy chief executive academic Bonnie Dewart said graduation was a ''very important moment'' for students.
''It represents their means to a successful future, with a rounded education, a qualification and excellent employment prospects.''
She said graduation was also an important time to acknowledge the community groups and retailers which supported UCOL Wairarapa, its staff and students during another successful year.
''It's also a time for UCOL staff to celebrate and take pride in their own success in helping our students to reach their goals,'' she said.
Tomorrow's graduates will be capped with new qualifications in health science, nursing, early childhood education and care, business administration and computing, carpentry, hairdressing, cosmetology and nail technology, beauty, mental health, sport and exercise, automotive, computer graphics, networking and desktop support.
Scholarships, supported by the Carterton, South Wairarapa and Masterton District Councils and other local organisations, will also be presented.
Two-time world mountain running champion Melissa Moon will be guest speaker.
At the close of the 1.30pm ceremony, graduates and UCOL staff members will form a procession back to the campus.