Young UCOL students challenged to succeed

2 April 2012

Young UCOL students challenged to succeed

UCOL Deputy Chief Executive Academic Bonnie Dewart has thrown down a challenge to sixty young students. “I want to see you all walk across the stage at the Regent and graduate this time next year.”

Bonnie was speaking at a presentation ceremony last week where the 16 and 17 year olds received scholarships under the Youth Guarantee Scheme.

The scholarships are aimed at teenagers who are ready for a new educational challenge, have made a start towards NCEA, want to enrol in full time tertiary study, and want to learn practical skills.

Funded by the Ministry of Education, and administered and delivered by UCOL, the scheme allows students to participate in tertiary education without accumulating debt.

UCOL’s sixty Youth Guarantee first semester students are studying towards certificates in Hairdressing, Electrical and Related Trades, Science and Health, Automotive Engineering, Automotive Panel and Paint, Motorsport, Tourism, Travel, Professional Cookery, Baking and Pastry, Hospitality, Trade Skills, Tertiary Study Skills L1 and 2, Fashion and Beauty and National Certificate Mechanical Engineering.

Bonnie says, “The Youth Guarantee Scheme is important to UCOL because we are passionate about providing opportunities for the young people in our region to succeed, and be given a chance to study in a supportive, tertiary environment. It’s essentially a scholarship, it’s an opportunity that not everyone is given.”

As they accepted the scholarship awards in the ceremony, many of the students indicated their intention to carry on after this first step to further advancement in programmes such as nursing, medical imaging and more advanced trade programmes.

“We are delighted that we have Youth Guarantee students on our Wairarapa and Whanganui campuses this year, as well as Palmerston North,” says Bonnie.

Bonnie told the students, “Your lecturers want you to be successful, and all the Student Experience Team are there to ensure you have the support you need. Work hard, use the help. I want to see you graduate and go on with further study or employment.”

ENDS

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