MIT and Massey High partnership helps secondary students

November 8, 2013

MIT and Massey High partnership helps secondary students into brighter future

A group of 17 Massey High School students have been honoured at a special ceremony for completing a new tertiary-level business administration and computing course.

Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) partnered with the Auckland West Vocational Academy (AWVA) at Massey High School – to give school-aged students the opportunity to study towards the Business Administration and Computing qualification for the first time this year.

Teaching staff from MIT’s Faculty of Business and Information Technology taught the group eight NCEA national standards in their simulated office environment, the Ricoh Administration Centre, based at their Newmarket Campus.

The Ricoh Administration Centre functions as a real business. Ricoh provides the corporate image, framework and resources such as photocopiers, faxes and printers for the centre.

Massey High School Deputy Principal, John Tinling, addressed the audience of teaching staff, students and their friends and family at the event. “The students are now not only Massey High School students but also MIT students, which is fantastic as it is encouraging them to keep going with their studies to tertiary level,” he said.

“These are trades academy students who often are not so happy progressing through academic curriculums but courses like this will give them a pathway to a qualification that can get them started on a rewarding career.”

Associate Dean at Manukau Institute of Technology’s Faculty of Business and IT, Graeme Osborne told the audience MIT could not provide the course without the support of Ricoh NZ.

“Every student who completed the course has passed so we are really delighted with their achievement and their parents should be very proud,” he said.

“Now that we have run a successful pilot at our Ricoh Administration Centre we hope to introduce more courses like this with Massey High School moving forward.”

Communications Manager from Ricoh New Zealand, Rick Petford said the graduates had proven to themselves and others that they wanted to learn and would continue to do so once they start using their new skills when they were working.

Year 13 student at Massey High School Siliala Talalevavau (18) completed the course and spoke on behalf of the students at the event. She said the course was challenging at first but in the end was a wonderful experience.

“The Academy has helped us gain the confidence in working within an office environment and helped us develop the skills we will need in any career we wish to follow,” she said.

“We learnt how to be punctual and present ourselves well and also learnt valuable skills such as leadership, working as a team, decision making, solving problems and using office equipment provided by Ricoh.”

MIT Lecturer, Kathy Corscadden arranged for the female students to go to Dress for Success to find a suitable outfit for interviews and work placement. She also arranged for the male students to access a similar service through Pacifica Consulting.

MIT and Massey High School is hoping to introduce a National Certificate in Business and Computing programme at Level 3 next year to offer a similar experience to academy students who are at a more advanced level.

ENDS

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