NorthTec Roadshow aims to reach youth that would benefit

NorthTec Roadshow aims to reach youth that would benefit

The second of seven Roadshow events NorthTec is holding around the region to provide information on its MyStart Programme was held in Kawakawa last Thursday.

MyStart tutor, Alison Fenwick, said the fact that an effort was made to take the programme to Kawakawa was appreciated by those who turned out in healthy numbers to find out more information about the MyStart programme.

“The turnout in Kawakawa proves that those in these communities are keen to see a youth initiative such as MyStart working in the area. We look forward to working in Kawakawa and the wider region,” she commented.

This year, NorthTec is attempting to disseminate information about the MyStart programme to pockets of Northland it has not previously been to in an effort to reach those youths that would benefit.

MyStart, the Government’s Youth Guarantees Programme, provides 16 and 17 year-olds who might not have suited school, opportunities to discover career pathways while incurring no fees in their first year.

There are a range of introductory options available on NorthTec’s MyStart Programme that includes: Sport and Recreation; Trades and Technology encompassing Automotive, Carpentry and Engineering/fabrication, Hospitality; Horticulture; and Forestry.

MyStart Project Leader, Ian Swindells, said the roadshow events consist of a series of presentations from MyStart staff about the programme and highlights the options available to youths 16 and 17 years-old, including discussions of issues around stair casing or progression to further study, student allowances, and transport. Mr Swindells noted that in terms of transport NorthTec was funded to provide transport along main routes throughout Northland, making MyStart accessible to most.

The first of the roadshows on 25 January was held at the Raumanga campus in Whangarei that not only saw good numbers of youths turn up to learn all about the programme, but had strong support from their parents/guardians who were also in attendance.

Two roadshows are being held today in Kaikohe and the NorthTec Rawene Learning Centre before visiting the Kaitaia Learning Centre on Thursday and returning to the Interactive Learning Centre at Raumanga campus on 8 February.

After learning information about the programme there is the option to enrol on the day if people are keen, otherwise they can take the information they are given away with them and come back to enrol later, but should factor in the programme has spaces that fill quickly Alison said.

It will be the third year the programme has been run at NorthTec after the government programme was introduced which has been tailored to the educational needs of the region.

ENDS