The Gateway programme is designed to strengthen the pathway for learners to progress from school to workplace learning. Gateway is available to state and integrated secondary schools, and supports senior secondary students (Year 11 to Year 13) undertaking practical work knowledge with local businesses which will make learning relevant and ensure that our young people have a smooth transition from school to work. Students are assessed in the workplace for unit and achievement standards which contribute to the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) as well as industry specific qualifications.
Gateway differs from work experience positions as the student has specific tasks to learn and be assessed on, whereas work experience positions provide a �taster� experience for students to identify a possible industry of interest to them. Gateway students work one day per week for a minimum of 20 weeks across Terms 2 and 3.
Gateway enhances the process of schools supplying businesses with future employees and employers are able to target these prospective employees far earlier assisting in alleviating local skill shortages.
Students on the Gateway programme use the same resources developed for the Tools4Work engineering teachers, used in workshops or by students on placements.
As with Tools4Work, the Gateway programme assists applied learning in that the students are encouraged to ask questions of industry leaders and then record what they have learnt or discovered for themselves.
To date the Gateway programme has proved very successful and is highly valued by employers, student, and schools.
For more information for students and schools visit: http://www.tec.govt.nz/templates/standard.aspx?id=2762
Tools4Work is part of the Competenz Industry Training Organisation (ITO) which develops and manages industry qualifications, defines training standards and career path requirements for industry, and provides support for industry training, assessment and moderation processes. http://www.tools4work.co.nz/
