UCOL Wairarapa gears up for Semester Two

2 June 2011

UCOL Wairarapa gears up for Semester Two

With less than 40 days before Semester Two starts at UCOL Wairarapa, Campus Manager Angela Hewitt wants to remind prospective students that time is running out to enroll before the new term.

This year, because of the Rugby World Cup, UCOL’s term will not be in line with that of the schools in August. Most UCOL Wairarapa programmes start on 18 July – the first week of the school holidays or earlier, as in the case of health science. “If prospective students are keen to study with us for the second semester, they will need to make that decision soon,” says Angela.

Most programmes are filling fast but there are still places available in the areas of early childhood teaching (National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care), business administration (National Certificate in Business Administration), health science (Certificate in Introduction to Health Science) and baking and pastry (Certificate in Baking and Pastry).

Anyone keen to gain automotive skills can study for a National Certificate in Motor Industry (Entry Skills) in the new purpose built workshop facilities at the Chapel Street campus.

Enrolments are also open for the new National Certificate in Joinery (Introduction) Level 2 programme. This is the first year the joinery qualification has been offered at UCOL’s Masterton campus.

The programme offers a wide scope of practical skills including using hand tools, portable power tools, using fixed machinery, measuring and calculating, ordering materials, selecting timber, and the application of adhesives and sealants.

Students will gain a working knowledge of first aid and safe work practices; learn how to create sketches and drawings, prepare work documents and provide good customer service.

The certificate is largely taught in a practical environment so students learn to make kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and windows and doors.

The six month programme not only gives students the necessary knowledge and skills to enter the joinery industry, it can also lead into UCOL’s one year Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4) programme.

UCOL Carpentry coordinator Brett Tickner says the two programmes fit well together; students can progress through them both and gain a useful spread of practical skills to help them gain employment within the joinery or construction industries.

UCOL also offers a Certificate in Tertiary Study programme, informally called AMP’d (Applied Motivational Professional/Personal Development), which is designed as a staircase into employment, or into further training towards a career goal. It is aimed at 16 and 17 year olds who have disengaged from education but realize they need more training to become employed in a job they enjoy.

AMP’d introduces its young students to a stimulating environment where they can learn really useful study and employment skills in a practical way.

The students who are accepted into the programme pay no fees and can start the programme any time during the year.

Students take part in classes in Cookery, Construction, Sport and Outdoor Recreation, Early Childhood Education, Health and Science, Business Administration and Computing, Hairdressing and Beauty.

By the time they have finished the course, they may have experienced six or seven different career choices.

AMP’d students can earn the Certificate in Tertiary Study Level 1, National Certificate in Employment Skills Level 1, and/or NCEA Level 1.

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