How to choose post-school training
Tertiary study is any learning after secondary school. In New Zealand, you can gain a tertiary qualification via fulltime or parttime study, distance learning and workplace training. Depending on your age, location, financial situation and employment status, you can study at private training establishments (PTEs), university polytechnic, wānanga, Adult and Community Education (ACE), youth programmes, and at work. Consumer.org compared the job and salary prospects of graduates from NZ’s universities and polytechnics, and concluded:
■ Bachelor’s degrees brought more long-term financial benefits than diplomas.
■ Comparing universities, there’s no clear winner across every subject area at bachelor’s level.
■ Look at institutions’ course and qualification completion rates before enrolling, and search for employment outcomes and salary prospects for different study subjects and providers at the Ministry of Education website.
PTES
Hundreds of PTEs provide job pathways into industries like carpentry, food and hospitality, construction, tourism, business and technology, engineering, animation and game design. All qualifications, from certificate to post-graduate level, focus on achieving real job outcomes. Most help you get practical realistic workplace training. You can study at flexible times and locations, to suit needs. Smaller class sizes make it ideal for those who need extra support and mentoring.
YOUTH PROGRAMMES
If you have quit school, do not perform well in a traditional classroom environment, haven’t achieved basic NCEA levels, or come from a disadvantaged background, Youth Programmes focus on courses that take you directly to a career, opening up entire sectors such as IT, engineering, early childhood education, carpentry, construction and aged care. Called ‘second chance’ education, programmes are offered free by a number of institutions such as PTEs and schools. Some offer a transport allowance and a driver’s licence. One of the most successful aspects is Youth Guarantee directed at 16 and 17 year olds who can achieve NCEA Level 2, to progress to further study or a career. Programmes include vocational courses, secondarytertiary programmes (including trade academies), service academies and fees-free places at tertiary providers. See youthguarantee.education.govt.nz
UNIVERSITIES
Depending on the subject, a bachelor’s degree takes at university three to fours years to complete. Degrees can be general, such as Arts or Science, or vocational like Veterinary Science. Specific degrees potentially lead to employment in specific industries. The downside is the cost, with graduates paying off student loans, often tens of thousands of dollars, for years. However, job prospects are bright and there was no significant variation between universities, says Consumer.org.
POLYTECHNICS
They mostly offer certificates and diplomas, but some provide degrees and post-graduate courses. Because ‘‘techs’’ originally catered for trades, they have a focus on hands-on courses with industry placements a big part of courses, offering realworld experience and valuable networking while studying, enhancing job prospects. Techs are ideal for those seeking flexible study options, including online, so students are able to workwhile upskilling. In some areas (such as automotive, electrical or carpentry) students apprenticed and earn as they learn.
WANANGA
The peers of universities, techs and colleges of education, wananga are characterised by teaching and research that maintains, advances, and disseminates knowledge and develops intellectual independence, and assists the application of knowledge regarding Maori tradition according to Maori custom.
WORKPLACE TRAINING
Industry training is learning and skill development linked to needs of workers, workplaces and industry, such as building, plumbing, primary industries, manufacturing, retail, government and community services. It provides structured training, both on-job and off-job, so employees earn while they learn. Industry training is coordinated by Industry Training Organisations around New Zealand. See nzqa.govt.nz/ audience-pages/ssbs/
CONCLUSION
To select an industry and a profession or trade within it can be daunting, and requires research and soul searching. Consider the cost of study alongside lost earnings and spend time in the relevant workplace before enrolling to study.