Level 2/Level 3 Gateway

Gateway is a Government funded 'premier' programme which provides opportunities for students to participate in workplace learning and achieve workplace qualifications while still at school. Gateway is a formalised, contract-based learning arrangement (with the employer community) following an initial preparation phase that ensures the students have completed Workplace Safety, First Aid and Site Safe certificates (if required).

Gateway gives students a head-start to gain employment, (part time and full time), apprenticeships, further training opportunities and valuable networks for later reference. Students are able to attend placements that fit into their timetables; this can be up to the maximum of one day a week if appropriate(10 days minimum requirement in total). Gateway students attend normal classes when they are not on their placements. They are expected to catch up on any work missed in other subjects and their attendance must remain at 85% during the year on the Gateway programme. Gateway fully funds any course costs and student costs eg; equipment, demands self organisation and a commitment to carry out the workplace contract. If a student does not consistently meet these attendance, schoolwork completion and workplace contract expectations they may be withdrawn from the programme following consultation with the Gateway teacher, Deans and parents/caregivers.  

 Following the workplace preparation phase and careers input Term one, students will undertake a significant team 'project' that develops teamwork,communication,problem solving skills. From week 4 of Term one the Gateway Workplace Coordinator will also begin placing students in their relevant workplace environment. Following the completion of the project, students may choose assessment standards relevant to their workplace and/or standards from a menu of skills based units. Teacher and student then revisit the original Career Plan, update C.V's and begin planning for 'next steps' that may include (among other options) apprenticeships/trainee-ships; full time employment; tertiary studies at Polytech/University; or a plan to return to school and complete a higher level NCEA qualification.

The Gateway teacher and workplace coordinator attempt to work with the students to ensure a best fit in the workplace and to minimise stress around completion of the student's school studies programme  

Some of the employment placement opportunities include:

Agriculture; Animal care; Art and Design; Air stewarding; Automotive; 

Audio-engineering; Architecture; Banking; Beauty therapy; Baking; Broadcasting; Building;

Butchery; Computing; Conservation; Dance; Design; Diving; Drafting/Graphic design

Early Childcare; Electrical; Engineering; Event Management; Fabrication and welding 

Fashion; Floristry; Glazier; Hairdressing; Hospitality; Horticulture; Interior Design

Joinery; Media; Medical; Music performance and teaching; Nursing; Performing Arts

Personal training; Pharmacy; Photography; Plumbing; Radio and media; Retail

Sports and sports coaching; Teaching; Transport; Tourism; Zoology

Examples of external courses offered;

Health and Safety Levels 2 and 3; First Aid Certificate; Site Safe Certificate;

Red Shirts/Countdown retail Certificate; Electrical/ ETCO; MITO/Automotive;

Events Management; Computing/Programming/Game development;

 Music/sound production; Diving; Youth work; Early Childhood.....