Caption: Melanie Tait, Regional Director of Education for Ministry of Education shakes the hand of a U-Skills nominee“These celebrations are also really special for our staff who have supported them throughout the year. Our lecturers and transition coordinators work really closely with these students, who are the youngest within UCOL, to help them achieve their goals. We’re all incredibly proud when we get to present learners with their certificates.”
U-Skills Academy programmes allow Year 11 to 13 students to attend classes at UCOL (or an approved site) one or two days per week to develop industry-relevant skills. Learners work towards NCEA credits or, in some programmes, can earn a tertiary qualification. Many of the U-Skills programmes act as stepping-stones towards further tertiary study.
“Not only do they gain relevant industry skills and knowledge, but they also have the opportunity to develop personal skills, including self-management and increased confidence. The personal growth we see from our students during the year is just as important as the technical skills and knowledge they gain.”
UCOL had 861 students in U-Skills programmes this year; 415 in Manawatū, 170 in Whanganui, 190 in Wairarapa, and 86 in Horowhenua/Kāpiti.
“It was a pleasure to host Melanie Taite, Regional Director of Education (Ministry of Education), as the guest speaker at our Manawatū celebration. Melanie spoke highly of UCOL’s U-Skills programme and the benefits visible in our rangatahi thanks to their commitment to the Trades Academy programmes they’ve been undertaking this year.”
Across the Wairarapa and Whanganui ceremonies, our U-Skills kaimahi also took the opportunity to showcase their care and manaaki for our ākonga.
“Our Wairarapa kaimahi created a hilarious icebreaker video introducing themselves for the whānau to know who they all were, which was a fantastic way to kick off the ceremony. While in Whanganui, our automotive lecturer took the time to handwrite them all a personalised poem, which was so appreciated.”
Caption: Wairarapa senior leader Tracey Cook, with Wairarapa Outstanding Student winner Ben McCarthy“The Whanganui recipient of Outstanding Student is an extra special celebration this year, as this was the second time student Coral Poynter has been awarded the Outstanding Student award, and her third year being nominated for the award.”
“Coral is an exemplary U-Skills ākonga and a great example of how well our students excel when given the opportunity and they choose to put in the mahi.”