WELCOME TO THE WEST COAST TRADES ACADEMY
The West Coast Trades Academy is a new, exciting and very different training option for high school students on the West Coast, whether you are interested in hospitality or early childhood education, through to engineering and construction.
It means students can now work towards a National Certificate in Trade, while staying at school completing their National Certificate in Education Achievement (NCEA).
And the best part is – it’s free.
Talk to your school Trades Academy co-ordinator or careers’ advisor about joining the West Coast Trades Academy or download our enrolment form.
We welcome enquiries from schools and educators. Contact us today.
WHAT’S NEW
West Coast Trades Academy Open Day
Friday 3 February, 10am at Tai Poutini Polytechnic
Students can find out more about the West Coast Trades Academy at our upcoming open day. The open day is a chance to learn more about the programmes we offer, meet our tutors and hear from local business owners about what they’re looking for in an employee. It’s also a good opportunity for students to find out if the West Coast Trades Academy is right for them.
Programmes
TRADE TRAINING PROGRAMMES 2012
- Introducation to Trades
- National Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 2)
- National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 2)
- National Certificate in Building and Construction (Level 2)
- National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3)
- National Certificate in Hospitality (Entry Skills) and National Certificate in Hospitality (Introductory Cookery) (Level 2)
Introduction to trades programme
This is a great start if you are unsure exactly what you want to study. In your first year you’ll study the following three programmes – building and construction, mechanical engineering and automotive engineering, learning enough to decide which you want to carry on with. You can also choose the qualification you wish to specialise in and complete the National Certificate in that trade area.
National Certificate in Hospitality (Entry Skills) and National Certificate in Hospitality (Introductory Cookery) (Level 2)
Hospitality is a rewarding and interesting career option. You can work all over the West Coast, around New Zealand or overseas. There are many types of hospitality jobs.
This qualification will help you get work in a kitchen, serving customers in a restaurant or café or an entry level job in an accommodation or tourism business. Learn a range of skills such as beginner cookery, front-of-house work, how to make a great coffee or serve up awesome meals. You can continue your training at polytechnic by studying hospitality, tourism or culinary arts’ for a career as a chef.
Hospitality is a career full of opportunities. You may start at the bottom but the sky’s the limit – one day you could even own your own restaurant, café or tourism business.
National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3)
If you love children and are patient and caring, chances are you would make a fantastic early childhood teacher. This qualification is a first step to becoming a nanny, child caregiver in the home, special needs’ or kindergarten teacher.
Classes are taught every Friday during school terms at Tai Pouting Polytechnic. Over a two year period you will learn about:
- taking care of a baby
- how a child develops
- health and safety for children
- getting ready for working in an early childhood centre
- child play, art, music and activities
- managing child behaviours
- understanding child development
Further education options include an Early Childhood Education diploma or degree, teacher training or nanny certificate (level 5).
National Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 2)
Take the first step to getting your dream job in the automotive industry with this qualification. You’ll be taking vehicles apart, fitting tyres, doing servicing, locating and diagnosing electrical faults and learning how to manage customer enquiries.
After completing this national certificate you can get work as an apprentice in an automotive business or do further study at polytechnic in the automotive industry.
National Certificate in Building and Construction (Level 2)
Building and construction is an excellent career option. In the next five to ten years New Zealand is going to need a lot of people with skills in this area. Especially in Christchurch and the West Coast.
This programme will get you started on a career in this sector. You’ll learn how to use and manage hand tools, power tools and machinery and build decks, utility buildings, garden furniture and other items. When you complete this certificate you could become an apprentice with a building or construction business, or go on to study in a range of areas including carpentry, mechanical or automotive engineering.
National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 2)
If you are interested in the bigger picture and like designing, repairing, building or maintaining machines and tools mechanical engineering could be the career for you.
There is a strong demand for engineering skills on the West Coast. Businesses are looking for employees with a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities in the engineering trade. There are many career options. When you complete this certificate, you can work toward further national certificates or a diploma in engineering. You could even go on to train as an electrician, or motor engineer, or in electronics security or industrial measurement and control.
