Student Pathways
ISK’s Student Pathways programme is focused on creating pathways for our local rangatahi to enter Kawerau’s industrial workforce.
An alternative to University Entrance qualifications, the proposed Industry Entrance Certificate will enable a student to obtain a New Zealand qualification in industry unit standards.
The programme is being developed in partnership with Tarawera High School, the Tertiary Education Commission, Ministry of Education, NZQA and industry to deliver a student pipeline into employment. It is envisaged that the elements of this pathway will alter and change with the maturation of the programme but the concept is for students to develop work-ready skills and knowledge in a range of engineering, logistics, wood processing and manufacturing tasks. These skills will enhance student’s entry-level employment prospects for apprenticeships, traineeships or general employment both in Kawerau and nationally.
The core elements ISK are working towards are:-
Year 11 students entering the Industry Entrance Certificate programme choose three businesses that they would like to research and visit. During the Workplace Introduction visit students explore the type of work the business undertakes and the skills required to become one of the team. Three further businesses are chosen in year 12.
These workplace introductions help the student decide which Level One and Level Two Unit Standard credits they would like to pursue and explore the career pathways that could be available to them.
Having completed the workplace introductions programme in years 11 and 12, students then decide on a career path they would like to pursue in year 13. Up to two work experience opportunities are negotiated.
An individual work experience programme entails the student working in their chosen field for an agreed number of hours per school term.
During their attendance in the workplace, the student must comply with all Health and Safety protocols including Drug and Alcohol testing if required.
Workplace experience raises the student’s confidence and aspirations and provides an opportunity for rangatahi to see what industry really looks like and whether or not it is the career path for them.
Those students completing their Industry Entrance Certificate and participating in the Workplace Introductions and Work Experience initiatives who are confident in their career choices, can apply to ISK for inclusion in a Cadetship programme.
The six-week cadetship commences after the student leaves school and is designed to confirm the ‘fit’ between the cadet and employer’s work culture. The cadet is employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week and paid at least the minimum wage during this period. It is expected that a successful cadetship term would lead to an apprenticeship or full-time employment.
An apprentice is “earning while learning, developing skills, gaining real work experience, gaining recognized qualifications, and discovering their earning potential. Most apprentices qualify within four years and often it is a stepping stone to higher education.
ISK members are committed to ‘growing their own’ workforce by engaging apprentices and upskilling their staff to adapt to changing demands.
To become an apprentice, you must be over 16 years of age but there is no upper age limit. Each industry has different requirements, but ISK’s Workforce Development team can work with all stakeholders to find the right outcomes for both the employer and the apprentice.
To find out more about individual training organisations you can go to the TEC website.
https://www.tec.govt.nz/teo/working-with-teos/itos/directory/