What options are there for me when I leave school?
Where can I get course advice for going back to retrain?
What options do I have for trade training?
What are my tertiary training options?
I’ve finished university, but I have no idea what I want to do with my degree. Who can help me?
Can I be too old to do a course at university?
How do I find out what training courses I need in order to enter the career I’ve chosen?
Now I’m 37, can I get into any university course even though I don’t have university entrance?
Where can I find a computing course?
What is an ITO?
Where can I get help to pay for my course fees and expenses?
What options are there for me when I leave school?
There are lots of options to choose from when it comes to tertiary training, including bridging courses to prepare you for university study. The options are outlined in the tertiary providers section.
Where can I get course advice for going back to retrain?
Retraining is a good way to keep your skills and knowledge for your current career up to date. This can be especially important for careers where the technology used changes rapidly. You can also retrain in order to change careers.
Career Services have people that can tell you what the options are and help you decide which path is right for you, whether it is university, polytechnic, Industry Training Organisation, Modern Apprenticeship, community based education or something else. You can get in touch with Career Services online or you can phone them on 0800 222 733.
If the role you are retraining for requires a university qualification, universities have course advisors that can help talk you through the study options at their institution. You just need to get in touch with the University you want to study at, and they can put you on to the right people. Also see the question How do I find out what training courses I need in order to enter the career I’ve chosen?
What options do I have for trade training?
Trade training is the term used to describe the training required for trades e.g. plumbing, building and hairdressing. This is different from university training which is usually focused on research related careers or professional training e.g. to be a doctor or an engineer. There are many different paths you can take for trade training and qualification.
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is traditionally a form of industry training which you receive on the worksite under the supervision of experienced people in the trade, while being paid in accordance with your position as a beginner. Modern Apprenticeships is a government scheme to bring apprenticeships in line with modern educational standards. A Modern Apprenticeship is
- for people aged between 16 and 21 years old
- for people who want to gain skills and a qualification while working
- funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)
For more information on how to apply for a Modern Apprenticeship see the website. If you don’t qualify for a Modern Apprenticeship, you could consider industry training (see below).
More information is on the Career Services website.
Industry training
This is also known as workplace learning or trade training. To get industry training you must apply to the appropriate Industry Training Organisation (ITO) for the industry you work in, for example the Building and Construction ITO if you work in building (What is an ITO?). It might be an option for you if
To find out if there is an ITO that covers your trade, go to the Tertiary Education Commission’s website for the directory of ITOs.
Pre-trade training
Pre-trade training aims to give you some basic theoretical and practical skills before you start on a Modern Apprenticeship or an industry training course. It might be the right path for you if you
- tried to get into industry training, but the employer thought you didn’t have enough basic knowledge or practical experience
- are interested in trade training but want to shorten the time you spend training
- want to try out a certain job or industry before making a commitment
- want to try a variety of things to see what kind of job you might like
- are really interested in a modern apprenticeship or industry training and want to show your commitment to a future employer
More information is on the Career Services website.
Cadetships
Cadetships are another, less common type of workplace learning. A cadetship will have an upfront fee and will involve full-time work and part-time courses. They are generally advertised in newspapers and you will have to apply for them. They might be a good choice if you
- want to earn money while learning
- want to explore an industry you’re interested in
- are prepared to make a fixed-term commitment while being trained
Your local Work and Income office can provide a list of cadetships available in your area.
More information is on the Career Services website
On-the-job training
While not really an organised method of training it is worth bearing in mind as a way of getting more experience while you are in paid work. The most common way to get this kind of training is to talk to your employer about subsidising or paying for training in a qualification relevant to your job or accepting an offer from your employer to pay for training or a qualification. This may suit if you
- are already in a job
- want to build on your current knowledge and qualifications
- are not in an industry covered by an Industry Training Organisation (ITO)
- have an employer who’s keen to build on your current knowledge or skills
More information is on the Career Services website.
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What are my tertiary training options?
Tertiary education in New Zealand covers all post-secondary school education from adult and community education, literacy and numeracy skills, and industry training (including Modern Apprenticeships) to certificates and diplomas, bachelor degrees and postgraduate qualifications at universities and polytechnics. You need to think hard about your options because course fees are significant, and you don’t want to find out halfway through that a course is not for you. Get as much information as you can, and try to talk to people who have done the course you are thinking about.
Sometimes a break from study is a very good idea. It refreshes you, and you have a chance to gain work experience which gives you a better idea of what you want to do – or at least, what you don’t want to do.
There is also a range of options if you don’t feel that university is for you. You might want to look at trade training when you leave school. Options for this area are discussed in the education for trades section.
To help you figure out what job or career path suits you, your personality and your skills, you can talk to a school careers counsellor or contact Career Services on 0800 222 733.
There are many tertiary training options
Youth Training courses
Suitable if you are
- Under 18
- Have few or no school qualifications
- Want to gain valuable skills that will help you get a job or into further training
More info is on the Careers Services website
Bridging Courses
You might want to look at doing a bridging course if you
- haven’t achieved the required entry-level qualifications for a particular training course
- aren’t sure whether you can cope with training or not
- want to get a taste of what it’s like before you commit a lot of money to a course
Full-time study
This is when you attend a tertiary institution such as a university or technical institute. It can be the right option for you if you
- want to finish your degree as quickly as you can
- don’t mind making changes to your lifestyle
- are willing to make the commitment (time and money)
Part-time study
This option lets you gain a degree, diploma or certificate over a longer time frame, so you don’t have to completely change your lifestyle. You can still keep commitments to sport, music, family and work.
Distance learning
This option lets you complete a degree or qualification by studying at the times and locations that suit you. This might be a good option if you
- prefer to study at home
- are motivated and an independent learner
- cannot attend classes because of your location or personal situation
- need to be able to fit study around other commitments
For help deciding which option is best for you, get in touch with Career Services online or by phoning 0800 222 733.
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I’ve finished university, but I have no idea what I want to do with my degree. Can anyone help me?
Your university normally has a group of staff that specialise in helping you decide what to do with your degree- they normally have a number of recommended professions that your degree is suited to. You should get in touch with your university careers counsellor for advice.
Universities will also often have careers fairs or career days where employers go on campus to talk to students about opportunities in various industries and careers. These career events are usually aimed at students but could also be suitable to a recent graduate.
Can I be too old to do a course at university?
You’re never too old to go back to university and continue your education. Universities now have many students in their 40s, 50s and 60s. Mature students often do exceptionally well because they are very committed and work hard – they are not so distracted by the social life, although many have additional responsibilities that younger students don’t have, such as children. As long as you have the will, understand the time commitment, and are comfortable with the costs involved, then there is no reason not to give it a go. Universities often have classes to teach you how to write essays, how to use the library and so on.
How do I find out what training courses I need in order to enter the trade I’ve chosen?
You can get general information about careers, as well as information about training for careers, from:
- a careers guidance counsellor (also known as a careers advisor)
if you are at school, your school may have one
if you are employed by a large organisation, there may be one at your workplace
- Career Services NZ
Their website has a comprehensive list of career types and includes personal profiles of people in each career, what qualifications are required (if any) and which training organisations in New Zealand offer these qualifications
You can also get free one-to-one help from a careers advisor on 0800 222 733 or email them using this online contact form
- a Modern Apprenticeships Coordinator, if you are thinking of entering a trade and are aged 21 or under. You can visit their website here
- an Industry Training Organisation (ITO), if you are thinking of entering a trade but do not qualify for a Modern Apprenticeship. See ‘What is an ITO?’
- a private careers advisor. You can find them in the Yellow Pages or by searching for “career coach” on the Internet but, unlike some of the other options, their services won’t be free.
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Now I’m 37, can I get into any university course even though I don’t have university entrance?
As long as you’re over 20 years old at the beginning of the university year, are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident, and you meet the English language requirements (if English isn’t your first language), you can apply for special admission. This lets people who didn’t qualify for university entrance while at school go to university. For more information on special admission, contact the University you’re interested in.
Where can I find a computing course?
Computing courses are run by a number of organisations in areas all around New Zealand. Often universities will run computing courses – UNITEC in Auckland runs a free computing course called Free4U computer courses. See information on their website.
To find a course in your area, you can search online by typing in your town or city and ‘computing course’ or the name of the specific program you wish to use and the word ‘course’ (for example ‘MYOB course’), or you can contact your local CAB office by calling 0800 367 222. You can also search on Xtend.
What is an ITO?
An Industry Training Organisation (ITO) helps people achieve NZQA-recognised qualifications on the job. They can give you information about industry training, apprenticeships and sometimes job vacancies. You can find an ITO online.
Where can I get help to pay for my course fees and expenses?
Education can be expensive, leaving students in considerable debt at the end of their studies. It is very important to make sure that you are doing the right course for you, so that money isn’t wasted on course fees.
You can get interest-free student loans for course fees, but these do have to be paid back at some point in the future. You can also get help with the costs of course materials in the form of course-related costs of $1000. And there is also a student living allowance which gives you a weekly income if you are eligible for it. Studylink is the government organisation that administers these student benefits.