Educating for work is joint goal

News release
May 22, 2006

Educating for work is joint goal

Sometimes the goal of educating people for employment can be lost in the academic scramble for higher qualifications.

That’s not the case at Unitec. There, a dual sector commitment to degree and post-graduate study as well as vocational training provides highly sought-after graduates ready to contribute in the workforce.

It’s a philosophy that makes Unitec an ideal supporter of the College Herald, the New Zealand Herald forum that enables students to present their views about the world they live in.

Each week, secondary school students submit their work – articles, photographs, cartoons – to themes that are broadly based on school curriculum subjects.

Like Unitec, the College Herald gives students the opportunity to do something ‘hands-on’, taking the newspaper process through from writing and photography to design and layout.

Unitec is sponsoring two weekly sections in this year’s College Herald. The first, ‘Your Future Career’ has a publication date of May 30 and ‘Real Education’ ‘hits the streets’ on August 29.

Unitec marketing manager Tony Brown says the Auckland-based tertiary institution is delighted to be involved with the College Herald.

“Our mission is to deliver work-ready graduates with professional and vocational skills that are highly sought after in New Zealand and throughout the world.

“The College Herald is an excellent venue through which to illustrate the important role a practical education can play in their choice of career.”

In week five of the College Herald, ‘Your Future Career’ asks questions such as:

- How different do you think jobs will be in another five years’ time?

- What will you be doing in your career?

- What sort of training and qualifications will you need to succeed in your career?

Students are required to write about or illustrate how these issues affect them and the people around them.

‘Real Education’ in week 16 of the College Herald raises issues such as:

- In tomorrow’s world you will need different types and qualifications to succeed. How do you think education and training will change?

- How will you be learning in the future?

Students report on one of the issues, write opinion pieces and create illustrations or photographs that bring the issues to life in a dynamic and interesting manner.

Every Tuesday until mid-September the Auckland daily newspaper is publishing the special College Herald section. It is the fifth year the College Herald has been published. In 2006, there is an $80,000 prize pool for students.

ENDS

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