A century of vocational success

A century of vocational success

We’re not expecting a telegram from the Queen, but Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) staff and students will still celebrate a century of vocational education at their graduation ceremony this Saturday.

Originating in a small red brick building as the Petone Technical School in 1904, WelTec’s vastly extended main campus still sits on the same site, with the same wrought iron gate entrance, at the edge of the Petone Rec. From 83 students in 1904, to more than 11,000 students in 2004, WelTec has gone from dressmaking, shorthand and carpentry training to degrees in information technology, design, hospitality management, counselling, and alcohol & drug studies (and we still do the carpentry!).

Through 8 name changes, a couple of site changes, and a vast number of programme changes, the institute is still here doing what it does best – vocational training that allows people to start working the day they start learning.

More than 140 diploma and degree students will graduate from WelTec at the main ceremony this Saturday, April 17, at 3pm at the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington. Smaller graduation ceremonies will also be held in Auckland on April 24 and Christchurch on April 30.

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