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Study Choices
Apprenticeships
If you like practical work, rather than academic study, consider apprenticeships,
such as carpentry, plumbing, electricity, boat building, chefs, roofing, printing etcetera.
Check out modern apprenticeships www.modern-apprenticeships.govt.nz or www.constructionzone.co.nz.
Best Bit: You earn while you learn, so you don’t usually need a student loan. Apprenticeships are practical, and qualified Kiwi trades people are globally sought after.
Worse Bit: You may have to start with a pre-apprenticeship course, and you usually have to go door knocking to find an employer needing an apprentice.
Hot tip: Check out trade industry training organisations (ITOs). There is an ITO for everything from hospitality and apparel to engineering and aviation. They have heaps of information on training and opportunities. www.nzqa.govt.nz/for-business/ito.do
Academic Study
If you desire to research, debate, analyse and investigate subjects in depth, then consider degree level study. This is offered through universities or institutes of technology.
Best Bit: Independent and self directed learning,
acquisition of new knowledge, postgraduate research opportunities,
different lifestyle.
Worse Bit: Have to keep yourself on track, deal
with ongoing assignments and exams.
Choice of Provider
Career choices can affect where you have to live, eg Physiotherapy is only offered at AUT and Otago Polytechnic; Art Therapy is only offered at Whitecliffe College of Art & Design.
You also need to consider how you learn best: small groups, independent study, practical examples or theoretical discussion.
- Universities offer the widest range of degree study with a major emphasis on postgraduate study and research.
- Institutes of Technology are more practical in their approach and include opportunities to bridge into degrees through diplomas and certificates.
- Private providers tend to specialize in one industry, such as Hospitality or Information Technology. Some offer degrees but most offer certificates and diplomas and supportive small group learning
- Wananga offer a unique Maori experience with gradual immersion into Te Reo Maori and Tikanga Maori from certificate to degree level.
- Distance education is offered by the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand; an institution that is exclusively extramural. Massey University offers the most extensive extramural in the university sector. Other institutions offer a range of extramural papers/courses. www.whichcoursewhere.co.nz
Hot tip: Tertiary study pays: Someone with a tertiary degree can expect to earn 15% more than someone with secondary school qualifications or equivalent.
Professional vs General degrees
There are also choices around types of degree. Professional degrees -Engineering, Law, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Graphic Design - lead to specific careers. General degrees, such as a Bachelor of Arts, Social Sciences, Science offer opportunity to study a variety of subjects not tied to specific careers. Students then often add professional value through Master’s study (a further two years specialization).
Hot tip: Don't be put off by negative static about humanities degrees. Businessman Sir Robert Jones sponsors five University of Auckland philosophy students. Why? They make good business people, he says.
Certificate, diploma or degree?
Qualification choices are limited by your school grades. University Entrance is required for degree level study. Reasonable Year 12 grades open up diploma study. Increasingly certificates are offered as bridging courses into diplomas and degrees – or as pre apprenticeship options.
New Zealand Police & Armed
Forces
The NZ Police are always recruiting. They’re keen to sign up people with initiative, who are team players, good communicators and disciplined. Oh, and fit! www.newcops.co.nz/Home
The Armed Forces want similar. The Armed Forces offer apprenticeships, as well as university degrees, in certain areas – for free! Remember signing up for the Armed Forces - Army, Navy and
Air Force – means you’re prepared to defend New Zealand (fight wars). They also provide support during natural disasters and participate in international peace keeping.
www.army.mil.nz/careers
www.navy.mil.nz/join-us
www.airforce.mil.nz/careers
Other options
If you didn't do well academically at school, you may be
eligible for Youth Training and Training Opportunity programmes.
These are free courses run by private providers in trades, retail
and hospitality.
Hot tip: Check courses
are valid through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority www.nzqa.ac.nz which lists all registered, accredited and approved national qualifications. All quality assured courses are listed on www.kiwiquals.govt.nz.
 
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