Westland Milk Products Not for Profit Award Finalist 2018: West Coast Trades Academy

Westland Milk Products Not for Profit Award Finalist

West Coast Trades Academy

The West Coast Trades Academy is an exciting and very different training option for high school students across the West Coast. The Trades Academy is supporting young West Coasters to study towards a specific career, while staying at school completing their NCEA qualifications.

We aim to ensure our youth are engaged in education and equipped for tomorrow's workforce with relevant skills, experience and training. We have a specific goal to raise NCEA Level 2 and Level 3 achievement in our region and improve youth employment outcomes. We are reaching these goals and helping students into work.

West Coast Trades Academy programmes motivate more students to stay engaged in learning by providing them with a greater number of options for training that is hands-on, practical and interesting. Our courses are delivered in a tertiary environment where our students experience the shift from school to a more adult learning atmosphere, encouraging a smoother transition to employment. Trades students study with Tai Poutini Polytechnic on the West Coast, MAINZ music in Christchurch and with Whenua Iti Outdoors near Nelson.

Thanks to funding from the Ministry of Education and support from our secondary schools, local organisations and businesses, the West Coast Trades Academy is free for all West Coast students.

In 2018 The West Coast Trades Academy had 230 students, Coast wide. This is an increase from 80 students in our founding year, 2013.

Each year over 95% of our graduates move into employment, apprenticeships or higher education.