How to choose study or training, Me pēhea te kōwhiri i ngā mahi ako, ngā mahi whakangungu rānei

Some careers have only one way in – you need a particular qualification before you can start, like a certificate for a forklift operator or a bachelor’s degree for a registered nurse.

For other careers, there are different ways to qualify for the same job. So a chef could start with an apprenticeship, on-the-job learning or a cookery course.

Here are some ideas to find the different ways into a career.

• Contact an organisation you might want to work for. Ask them what qualification or training will get you the type of mahi you want.
• Talk to education providers. Meet with tutors or ākonga doing the course or programme you’re interested in. Find out where previous students got work afterwards.
• Visit career expos and job fairs to find out about study and training options.

• Choose full-time or part-time study or training. Full time means you qualify more quickly. Part time is a good way to learn without changing your whole life.
• Going into a division of Te Pūkenga, wānanga, university or private training establishment means you meet regularly with other students and tutors who can help you succeed.
• Distance or online learning makes it easy to fit study and assignments around other responsibilities – but you need to be self-motivated.

Make a list of your choices, then find out the differences between the study courses or training programmes. Use these questions to help you decide which one to choose.

• How is the course or programme taught? Different education providers might teach the same subject in different ways, like more hands-on or more classroom-based learning.
• Are there connections with industry? Some courses include workplace training in your chosen mahi, which can help you find out which direction to take.
• Will you study on your own or in a group? Check if the amount of team and individual study sounds right for you.
• What are the class sizes? Smaller classes might give you more time with tutors.
• Will you get the community you need? See if the organisation has cultural groups, networks and facilities that fit your needs and interests.
• Stay living at home or move away? Studying or training away from home may cost more but you can also learn life skills that help you in your career.