Development Programmes

The Development Programmes Faculty provides students the opportunities to take vocational subjects at school and participate in vocational education and training at various Auckland tertiary providers as well as in the workplace.

What is Vocational Education and Training?

Vocational education and training is education/training that prepares people to work in a trade, in a craft, as a technician, or in support roles in professions such as engineering, health and computing. Vocational learning experiences are usually based on manual or practical activities and are traditionally non-academic but related to a specific trade or occupation. Associated qualifications are traditionally at certificate and diploma levels.

Why choose Vocational Programmes?

Students choosing vocational (unit standard assessed) subjects and undertaking vocational training whilst at school will...

earn credits towards their NCEA qualification
earn credits towards National Certificates eg apprenticeship training qualifications
enhance their entry into tertiary courses/programmes on leaving school
develop practical skills and undertake real workplace experiences.

Year 12 Gateway to Employment (12GEM)

This subject is designed for students who are uncertain of their further education and/or employment goals. In addition to exploring career options, the programme aims to develop the range of skills and experiences to assist students in their transition to further education and employment.

In the classroom, students will complete five Level 2 unit standards that count for 11 credits towards Level 2 NCEA. All standards are internally assessed.

US10781 Produce a plan for own future direction (2 credits)
US12383 Explore career options relevant to an area of learning (2 credits)
US4252 Produce a targeted resume (2 credits)
US4253 Demonstrate knowledge of job search skills (3 credits)
US1294 Be interviewed in a formal situation (2 credits)

Students will earn further credits towards their NCEA qualification by given opportunities to attend STAR funded courses offered by tertiary providers and participate in the college’s Gateway Work Experience Programme. Such experiences will be linked to individual student career options and workplace requirements.

Years 12 Retailing (12RET)

A vocational course for students with an interest in pursuing a career in the retail industry. The subject content focuses on providing students the opportunity for learning in frontline customer service skills.

This course is offered in partnership with Wellington Institute of Technology.

Students are offered seven Level 2 unit standards that count for 25 credits towards Level 2 NCEA and the National Certificate in Retail – Level 2. Furthermore, all unit standards contribute to the NCEA Level 2 Vocational Pathways Award in Services Industries. All standards are internally assessed.

US 62 Maintain personal presentation and a positive attitude in a workplace (2 credits)
US 11831 Apply skills and qualities of a sales person (6 credits)
US 11941 Establish and maintain positive customer service interactions (2 credits)
US 11938 Assist customers to select goods and/or services face-to-face (2 credits)
US 11974 Participate in a team in a retail or distribution environment (4 credits)
US 19583 Demonstrate knowledge of products in a retail or distribution environment (4 credits)
US 24997 Demonstrate knowledge of theft and fraud in a retail or distribution environment (5 credits)

Year 13 Retailing (13RET)

A vocational course for students with an interest in pursuing a career in the retail industry. The subject provides Level 3 unit standards that offer learning towards working in customer service environments where you may be responsible for managing customer interactions that are outside of basic customer service skills.

This subject is offered in partnership with Wellington Institute of Technology.

Students are offered seven Level 3 unit standards that count for 28 credits towards Level 3 NCEA and the National Certificate in Retail – Levels 2 & 3. All standards are internally assessed.

US 11831 Apply skills and qualities of a sales person (6 credits)
US 11817 Serve customers face to face in a wide range of contexts (4 credits)
US 27229 Respond to customer complaints in a retail or distribution environment during customer interactions (4 credits)
US 442 Create in-store displays in a retail or distribution environment (3 credits)
US 22013 Create and maintain materials for presentation of products (4 credits)
US 11818 Enhance work practices by the application of product and/or service knowledge (2 credits)
US 28299 Prepare cash for banking in a retail environment (5 credits)

Year 12 New Zealand Tourism (12NZT)

A vocational subject for students with an genuine interest in New Zealand Tourism, especially students considering a career in this growing industry.

Students will undertake travel and tourism modules which have been developed to meet standards established by the Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation (ATTTO). The course content focuses on New Zealand as a tourist destination, world travel geography outside New Zealand and essential customer service skills.

This subject is offered in partnership with the New Zealand School of Tourism.

Students are offered seven Level 2 unit standards that count for 24 credits towards Level 2 NCEA and the National Certificate in Tourism (Introductory Skills) – Level 2. Furthermore, all unit standards contribute to the NCEA Level 2 Vocational Pathways Award in Services Industries. All standards are internally assessed.

US 18237 Perform calculations for a tourist workplace (3 credits)
US 24726 Describe and compare social and cultural impacts of tourism (3 credits)
US 24728 Demonstrate knowledge of work roles in tourism (3 credits)
US 24729 Demonstrate knowledge of world tourist destinations (4 credits)
US 24730 Demonstrate knowledge of the business of tourism (4 credits)
US 24731 Demonstrate knowledge of destination New Zealand (4 credits)
US 24732 Demonstrate knowledge of tourist characteristics and needs (3 credits)

Year 13 New Zealand Tourism (13NZT)

A vocational subject for students with a genuine interest in New Zealand Tourism, especially students considering a career in this growing industry.

Students will undertake travel and tourism modules which have been developed to meet standards established by the Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation (ATTTO). The course content focuses on New Zealand and Australia as a tourist destinations and the significance and impacts of tourism on the New Zealand economy.

This subject is offered in partnership with the New Zealand School of Tourism.

Students are offered five Level 3 unit standards that count for 23 credits towards Level 3 NCEA and the National Certificate in Tourism (Introductory Skills) – Level 2. All standards are internally assessed.

US 24725 Describe and analyse the economic significance of tourism (4 credits)
US 24733 Describe and promote a New Zealand tourist destination (4 credits)
US 17788 Identify and explain the history of natural attractions and significant sites in tourism Maori (5 credits)
US 18211 Demonstrate knowledge of Australia as a tourist destination (5 credits)
US 3727 Demonstrate knowledge of Pacific Island countries as tourist destinations (5 credits)

Gateway Work Experience Programme

Quote from a Gateway student: “most of us are afraid of getting our first job or deciding what we want to do in the future. Parents and teachers are always talking about our future when we haven’t had a second thought about it. Gateway helps kids to realise what’s out there and what us, as the next generation can achieve. Go for it!”

Gateway is a programme funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) which enables a limited number of senior secondary school students to experience real workplaces. Through the programme students spend time in workplaces with local employers (usually one day a week) enabling them to learn about the industry which they are interested in as a career. There is no cost to employers or students.

How does Gateway work?

The programme is designed for students who have shown a particular interest in an industry and is targeted primarily to students who are less likely to go to university. The Gateway Co-ordinator (Mrs Sue Caiger), in consultation with Deans and teachers, will identify students who could benefit from the programme. The students are required to apply with a CV and cover letter, which will be followed up with an interview with the Gateway Co-ordinator.

The co-ordinator works with local employers to place students in a workplace during the school week and/or holidays. By participating in Gateway, students are expected to achieve a minimum of 20 unit standard credits towards their NCEA qualification. These credits are in addition to those gained in their school subjects.

For employers, their involvement in the programme is an opportunity to bring an extra pair of hands into the workplace, to show case an industry and workplace, to give something back to local communities and to access potential employees.

The Development Programmes Faculty has established partnerships with several tertiary education providers, allowing our senior students to undertake vocational education and training ‘short’ courses at their campuses.

These tertiary short courses aim…

to build the skills and core capabilities of the student
to engage the student by highlighting the relevance of learning to future employment or study
to support a student’s exploration of pathways to work or further education
to expose students to the learning environments of tertiary education providers.

Furthermore, students have the opportunity to earn industry-related credits towards their NCEA qualification. These tertiary courses are fully-funded by the college.

Examples of vocational education and training courses that our students have attended; automotive engineering, motor body trades, beauty servies, baking and pastry, hospitality barista skills, computer hardware, computer networking, outdoor first aid, Coastguard 'Day Skipper', audio/sound engineering.

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