Combine school with work or training, Te kōmitimiti i te kura ki te mahi, te whakangungu rānei

Learning new subjects, training in a different place or getting work experience can make your school day pretty interesting. You can discover what type of mahi you want to do and keep getting NCEA credits that’ll help you get into it after school. It could lead to on-the-job training, a full-time job or further study.

If you’d like to try something different, talk to your career adviser, Gateway coordinator or teacher. They’ll be happy to help.

At trades academies you learn industry-specific skills while you study for NCEA in Years 11 to 13. You’ll probably be at school for 3 or 4 days a week and at a training provider through a division of Te Pūkenga for 1 or 2 days a week. You might also get some experience in a real workplace.

You’ll study towards NCEA Level 2 or above, and for industry qualifications at Level 1, 2 or 3.

Talk to your career adviser about how and when to get into trades academies.

Services academies are run by schools in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force. The programme is designed to motivate and challenge you. You’ll be taught the personal skills you need to succeed in life. You’ll develop and build your fitness, confidence, teamwork and leadership skills – sometimes in challenging outdoor situations.

You’ll work towards NCEA Level 2, plus other credits that suit your interests and career choices.

Around 30 schools run services academies. Most are only for Year 12 or 13 ākonga but they might consider you at Year 11.

Services academies – Youth Guarantee Ministry of Education

Gateway lets you try mahi in a real workplace while studying for NCEA in Years 11 to 13. If your school offers Gateway you can usually choose it like any other subject.

As part of your structured workplace learning, you’ll probably work at the same place for some of the school year. You’ll get experience in a job that interests you and skills you can use in the world after school.

You’ll continue studying for NCEA Levels 1 to 3 and be assessed for work knowledge and skills.

You can also try doing:

• volunteer work – working for no payment adds skills and experience to your CV and helps you explore career choices
• part-time or holiday jobs.

Finding volunteer roles – Volunteering New Zealand