U-Skills STAR

Begin the transition to tertiary study while still in school with UCOL’s STAR courses.


STAR courses are short programmes designed for year 11 - 13 high school students to help them explore their career options. Study at UCOL while gaining NCEA credits and industry knowledge and experience while at school. Courses are one day per week for five or six weeks.
STAR programmes

Construction & Infrastructure

U-Skills STAR Construction Skills


Level 2
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

1 day per week for 6 weeks

2026 dates TBC


Interested in building? Discover if carpentry is right for you while still in secondary school.

U-Skills STAR Plumbing


Level 2

UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

5 weeks

2026 dates TBC


Take the first step to building a rewarding career as a plumber, where you ensure the hidden hero of the home is running smoothly and efficiently!

Creative Industries

U-Skills STAR Te Ao Haka Performing Arts (Level 2)


Level 2
UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

1 day per week over 6 weeks

2026 dates TBC


Learn and demonstrate essential skills of haka!

Manufacturing & Technology

U-Skills STAR Automotive


Level 2
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

1 day a week for 5 weeks

2026 dates TBC


Does anything with wheels and a motor appeal to you? Discover if a career in the automotive industry is right for you while still in secondary school.

A UCOL student in protective gears painting a car

U-Skills STAR Collision Repair


Level 2
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

1 day per week for 5 weeks

2026 dates TBC


Love cars and keen to learn how to repair and paint them? This course could be just what you need to explore collision repair as a possible career.

A student measuring a small piece of metal

U-Skills STAR Mechanical Engineering


Level 2
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

1 day per week over 5 weeks

2026 dates TBC


Interested in machining? Gain the necessary skills required for working with steel, tools and gases while still in secondary school!

Primary Industries

A close-up of a vet holding a puppy

U-Skills STAR Vet Nursing Taster


UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Horowhenua in Levin

1 day per week over 2 weeks

Palmerston North

Term 2: 24 Jun 2026 & 01 Jul 2026

Term 3: 16 Sep 2026 & 23 Sep 2026

Levin

Term 2: 10 Jun 2026 & 17 Jun 2026

Delivery day:

Wednesdays


Love animals? Find out what it's like to be a vet nurse!

A person looking through a microscope

U-Skills STAR Science Magic Taster


Manawatū - in Palmerston north

1 day per week over 2 weeks

2026 dates TBC


From lab coats to discovery-explore the wonders of biology and chemistry beyond textbooks.

Social & Community Services

U-Skills STAR Nursing Taster


UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

10 hours over two days

2026 dates TBC


Do you enjoy helping people? Find out what it's like to be a nurse, and study while still in school.

UCOL nursing learners administrating a dummy patient

U-Skills STAR Alternative Health Care


Level 3
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

1 day per week for 5 weeks

2026 dates TBC


Like helping people and keen to make a career out of it? Take the first step in your learning journey to understand and develop your skills around wellbeing.

UCOL STAR Health & Wellbeing Foundation

U-Skills STAR Health & Wellbeing Foundation


Level 2
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

2026 dates TBC


Discover if a career in the health and wellbeing industry is right for you, while still in secondary school with the UCOL STAR Health & Wellbeing Foundation course.

U-Skills STAR Human Body & Health


Level 3
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

2026 dates TBC


Interested in health and wellbeing? Discover if a career in this rewarding industry is right for you, while still in secondary school!

STAR Early Childhood Education & Care

U-Skills STAR Early Childhood Education & Care


Level 2
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

1 day per week over 5 weeks

2026 dates TBC


Interested in early childhood education? Discover if a career into this rewarding sector is right for your while still in secondary school.

Service Industries

A close-up of a cafe latte from top

U-Skills STAR Introduction to Barista


Level 2

UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, Wairarapa in Masterton

1 week

13 Jul 2026 - 17 Jul 2026

28 Sep 2026 – 02 Oct 2026

Delivery days:

Monday - Friday


Love coffee and want to learn how to become a barista? Find out what it takes to become a coffee making master and study while still in school!

U-Skills STAR Beauty


Level 2
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

1 day per week over 5 weeks

2026 dates TBC


Love cosmetics and skincare? Find out if building a career in the beauty industry is for you.

A UCOL learner in a hairdressing salon

U-Skills STAR Hairdressing


Level 2
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

1 day per week over 5 weeks

2026 dates TBC


Interested in hair and fashion? Find out what it takes to become a hairdresser and learn basic skills while still in secondary school.

A lady doing a presentation in a corporate environment

STAR YES Business Opportunities


Level 2
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

1 day per week for 5 weeks

2026 dates TBC


Keen about business and entrepreneurship? Develop the behaviour and traits you’ll need to succeed in the fast-paced business world.

A student chef preparing a tart.

U-Skills STAR Introduction to Bakery


Level 2
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

1 week (Monday - Friday)

2026 dates TBC


Love the smell of fresh bread? Enjoy baking? Expand your skills and discover if a career pathway as a baker is for you.

UCOL STAR Café Service Skills course

U-Skills STAR Café Service Skills


Level 2
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui

Two Fridays

2026 dates TBC


Enjoy preparing food? Get hands on experience and upskill in this area while still in school.