NZ's first graduates with new qualification

Whitireia student’s first in New Zealand to graduate with new qualification.

Fourteen Whitireia students were the first in New Zealand to graduate from the Diploma in Mental Health Support Work. The students graduated on 15 December, with a much anticipated qualification that has been in the pipelines since 2002.

The students were presented with awards by special guest Laurie Te Nahu (Kaiwhakahaera) and Barbara Halliday (Manager Mental Health Support Workers program) from Careerforce, an Industry Training Organisation Whitireia works with.

“The perceived need for this qualification came when the institutions closed down and support workers were placed out in the community” says Heather Reeves-Timms, Mental Health Support Work Tutor at Whitireia, who has been working hard to get the qualification in place. “We knew that the industry was looking for that higher qualification, they needed employees with leadership skills and senior knowledge.”

Whitireia Community Polytechnic already offers a Certificate in Mental Health Support Work but wanted to provide students with higher qualifications in the form of the Diploma. Places for 2009 are filling up quickly but still available. For More information visit www.whitireia.ac.nz or contact 0800 944 847.

ENDS

© Scoop Media