Education Minister on board with new Trades academy

19 October 2011

Education Minister on board with new Trades academy

The Minister of Education Anne Tolley climbed aboard the big digger at UCOL’s Trades excavation site this morning, to get a feel for the job.

Anne Tolley was welcomed to UCOL by Council Chair Trevor Goodwin then spent an hour talking to staff involved in the new UCOL-led Trades academy, to be called U-Skills – Central Schools Academy. The Minister also met representatives of some Manawatu secondary schools, including Awatapu College Principal Tina Sims.

Awatapu College, Makoura College in Wairarapa, Horowhenua College, City College and Intranz in Whanganui will be key participants in the Trades Academy initiative across the UCOL region.

Mrs. Tolley said she welcomed the chance to get a firsthand look at preparations for the new academy, including the construction of a new Trades facility at UCOL, between Amesbury Street and Princess Street.

She stressed the importance of the new academies to provide an easy pathway for young people into trades training, in part to meet skill shortages. “This initiative marks the start of an exciting period in education. It turns on a light for our young people,” she said.

The academies will allow secondary students to start studying towards a Trades qualification while still at school, in partnerships between UCOL, local schools, industry groups, employers, industry training organisations and other training organisations.

UCOL’s Dean of Trades and Technology Kelly Gay said the partnership approach helps students progress smoothly and directly through secondary school via tertiary education into employment.

ENDS