Career Navigator Pilot a Great Success

27 September 2012

Career Navigator Pilot a Great Success

The Foundation for Youth Development‘s (FYD) Career Navigator programme is already proving a success.

Launched at Manurewa High School last Friday, employers involved with the pilot have expressed interest in working with the school and FYD to offer employment opportunities to their students.

FYD CEO Marion Short says FYD was very pleased with the results of the pilot at Manurewa High School and is looking forward to expanding the programme.

“We couldn’t be happier with how Friday went,” says Short. “The possibility of placing Manurewa High School students in employment positions has exceeded our expectations and is a direct result of the bridging role Career Navigator can play between employers and students.

“We’ve had a stream of interest from other schools around New Zealand asking how they can bring the programme into their school. We hope to develop Career Navigator across the country following our full trial in 2013 and there is no reason why we can’t see the same results within other schools.”

Manurewa High School Principal Salvatore Gargiulo says the school was equally pleased with the pilot.

“To already have employers interested in our students after just part one of the pilot is a triumph,” he says. “Deciding on a career after high school is incredibly daunting for many students. Career Navigator has provided essential professional insight while proving to our students they all have something to offer and are highly employable.

“Both the pilot and the interest from different companies were a bit of a landmark for our kids; it really showed them that employers recognise their potential.”

Over 550 Year 12 and 13 students gathered to hear former Silver Fern captain Bernice Mene’s inspiring personal stories including how she accomplished her sporting success through goal setting, and the importance of attitude and determination.

The students were also addressed by NZ Drug Detection Agency on drug testing in the workplace, Careers NZ about knowing who you are and rising to your “calling” and Adecco Recruitment Agency with some practical advice on interview skills, writing CVs and general work preparation tips.

Year 12 students spent the rest of the day rotating in groups around 12 different stations for an interactive session with industry professionals about how they got into their jobs and the different careers on offer within that industry.

The industries represented were:

The school was impressed with what students were able to take away from the launch of the pilot.

“The students were engaged, focused and learning exactly what they want and need to know before joining the workforce,” says Gargiulo.

FYD delivers proven child and youth programmes - Kiwi Can, Stars, Project K and MYND to almost 18,000 young people across 17 different regions in New Zealand.

FYD was founded by Kiwi adventurer Graeme Dingle and lawyer Jo-anne Wilkinson.

Background Information: Career Navigator

Career Navigator is a school-based ready-for-work programme designed to provide secondary school students with the information they need to make informed decisions about future employment.

The programme has been collaboratively developed by FYD, Manurewa High School, Leighton Contractors, local and national employers, Manurewa Local Board, government and non-government organisations and is aimed at becoming part of a successful solution to youth unemployment in New Zealand.

The full pilot, including all four modules of Career Navigator, will run at Manurewa High School in 2013. Career Navigator will initially be available to Year 11 to Year 13 students; however FYD hopes to develop the programme to include Year 10 students. Following the full trial, Career Navigator will be evaluated and if successful introduced alongside FYD’s other programmes.

For more information the pilot programme, visit FYD

ENDS

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