Gateway
Gateway is open to senior student’s Year 11 to 13
delivers hands-on practical learning that leads to nationally recognised qualifications.
builds students’ workplace experience, helping them to move smoothly from school to work.
is funded by the Tertiary Education Commission.
opens a new pathway from school to work and is a great opportunity to blend school study with workplace learning and experience. It helps schools to make learning relevant
Units are assessed in the workplace and count towards national qualifications. It gives an opportunity for students to try out potential careers and build links to Industry Training Organisations, modern Apprenticeships and workplaces. Employers are able to give something back to the community, assess potential employees and strengthen links to Industry Training. As students learn the job they are able to give extra part-time help to employers
Gateway schools equip their students for the workplace and provide training resources.
A contract is signed between employer, student, parent and the Gateway Coordinator before the student begins work.
The student fills out and signs a student profile for Tertiary Education Commission. Information about the student placement and contact details of the employer also go to the Tertiary Education Commission. Start and finish dates are included. The funding is based on student numbers. It is the expectation of the Tertiary Education Commission that each student on Gateway complete a number of NZQA Unit Standards while in the workplace. The learning is hands-on and practical. This helps the student to strengthen the range of career pathways into adult life.
Reefton Area School is a Gateway School giving students’ workplace opportunities in Reefton and Greymouth areas.
We have had some excellent results from students in their workplace learning. These results have been in the health, hospitality, hairdressing, early childhood education, tourism, farming, adventure tourism, building, automotive engineering, journalism and entertainment industries. In part this is because these industries have been able to provide attainable N.Z.Q.A. Units for our students. We have worked with Aoraki Polytechnic Media Studies on Journalism and Tai Poutini Polytechnic Automotive Department on assessment of hands-on learning. Some students have gained employment in the place they have worked while on Gateway, and others as a result of their learning on Gateway.
It is important that workplace learning is integrated with the student's general education and is not just a workplace experience. In man cases, Gateway gives students a head-start on their chosen careers. Students need to have good work skills, like person appearance and hygiene, good time keeping and most important, a good attitude to work and workmates. A good place to display this is on the Year 10 Work Exploration Programme. Students who do well on Year 10 work experience will be given first opportunity of a placement on Gateway in Year 11.