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