Vocational Pathways to make NCEA more unstandable

Media Release

Vocational Pathways to make NCEA more unstandable for Employers and Students

Learning will become more relevant, students more work-ready and employers will better understand the NCEA system with the help of Vocational Pathways, says Industry Training Federation Chief Executive Mark Oldershaw.

Launched today by Ministers Steven Joyce and Hekia Parata, Vocational Pathways will be introduced across New Zealand secondary schools next year. Vocational Pathways is unique in that it utilises the existing NCEA system in a way provides broad vocational and academic pathways for secondary school students at NCEA Level 2 that are recognised and valued by employers.

“Vocational Pathways will make a real difference for students, employers, education, and the economy,” says Mark Oldershaw. “The concept of Vocational Pathways was developed by the industry training sector in response to requests for school leavers to be better prepared for working life. The industry training sector has since worked in partnership with the Ministry of Education to develop the pathways, and is committed to ensuring a sucessful roll out”

“Many young people lose interest in education because they see it as boring and irrelevant,” says Mark. “This is about linking education to the real world beyond the classroom, and keeping young people interested. Students will be given clear options based on the future they see themselves in and employers will have a better understanding of the relevance of the study undertaken by potential employees.”

Vocational Pathways are currently grouped into five selected areas identified by employers: Manufacturing andTechnology; Construction and Infrastructure; Primary Industries; Service Industries; and Social and Community Services.

Students will not be limited to one pathway, however they will better understand the context of their learning, what they need to know and why. And employers will connect with schools and tertiary institutions to ensure the learning is relevant.

“It makes a lot of sense for employers to have a stake in that learning pathway,” says Mark. “Employers tell us they need to know future employees are work-ready, with the right knowledge, skills, and values.

“We know that Vocational Pathways will not result in every secondary school student having the skills that employers want, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. For Vocational Pathways to succeed we need employers, secondary schools, whanau and the community to embrace the concept and apply it to their specific context.

“The industry training sector is excited about this boost to industry and the skilled workforce – a workforce that is qualified and ready to meet the needs of our community.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media