Pathways

[ Heading ]

Every teacher is a teacher of pathways

Clearer pathways to further education and employment is one of the seven changes to NCEA. This change will help schools deliver the National Education Learning Priorities Objective 4:

Future of Learning and Work - Learning that is relevant to the lives of New Zealanders today and throughout their lives.

Every teacher can support ākonga to achieve in pathways that align to their aspirations and are meaningful to them and their whānau.

What are pathways?

Pathways are about supporting successful transitions for all ākonga into further education, training, employment and life. Pathways are: 

  • lifelong, with multiple transitions involving paid and unpaid work, formal and informal learning, and life events 
  • about who ākonga are and want to be, as well as what they want to do 
  • not linear. 

Everyone is on a pathway.

Why does teaching with a pathways focus matter

It means ākonga will: 

  • have a better idea of how what they are learning can directly contribute to further study, work, and life 
  • have a better idea of what transferable skills they have gained through school, work, and other life experiences 
  • consider what future success means for them and their community, and how they can achieve it
  • be more engaged and have ownership of their learning by seeing its relevance now and into their future
  • be better equipped for them and their whānau to make confident and informed decisions about next steps.

Why every teacher is a teacher of pathways

No matter what ākonga choose to do beyond school, they will carry the knowledge and skills developed with them throughout life, including into the world of work. Discipline-specific knowledge can be applied to life and developed further through study and application, as can transferrable skills (such as problem solving and communication) valued by employers. 

Every teacher can play an active role by showing how subjects can open opportunities for ākonga. This encourages them to consider what their next steps could be.

How can I support my class with their pathways?

  • Draw on your school’s links to connect with iwi, employers and the local community to help bring the learning to life. 
  • Connect with regional education to employment brokers to make connections with the world of work. 
  • Contextualise learning to help show ākonga and their whānau its relevance to life outside school. 
  • Use the pathways guidance included in the learning tab for each NCEA subject to inform your planning, teaching and pathways conversations with ākonga. 
  • Share your pathway experience, and those of others you know, with ākonga. This will help them to understand that having several pathways and transitions in life is common and that their first step after leaving school is not the end of their journey. 
  • Support ākonga to create mind maps that identify the key knowledge and skills they are learning in your subject and learning area. Then map the possibilities of where that could lead with future work and life opportunities. 
  • Use the Vocational Pathways profile builder to check how the standards you are using align with the pathways groupings to help ākonga make connections to future pathways. 
  • Familiarise yourself with successful models of teaching that connect to the world of work and future training. 
  • Put up the Ki hea rā? subject/learning area posters in your teaching and learning space. 
  • Connect with your school’s careers advisers. Do students have a career profile? Do you know what your class profile is or what student interests are for their future life? How can you connect what you are teaching with their aspirations?
  • Connect the skills you are teaching through your subject and learning area to key employability skills:

A positive attitude | Waiaro pai

Communication | Whitiwhiti kōrero

Teamwork | Mahi ngātahi

Self-management | Whakahaere-whaiaro

Willingness to learn | Ngā pūkenga whaakaro

Thinking skills | He hiahia ki te ako

Resilience | Pakaritanga

Clearer pathways to further education and employment is one of the seven changes to NCEA. This change will help schools deliver the National Education Learning Priorities Objective 4:

Future of Learning and Work - Learning that is relevant to the lives of New Zealanders today and throughout their lives.

Every teacher can support ākonga to achieve in pathways that align to their aspirations and are meaningful to them and their whānau.

What are pathways?

Pathways are about supporting successful transitions for all ākonga into further education, training, employment and life. Pathways are: 

  • lifelong, with multiple transitions involving paid and unpaid work, formal and informal learning, and life events 
  • about who ākonga are and want to be, as well as what they want to do 
  • not linear. 

Everyone is on a pathway.

Why does teaching with a pathways focus matter

It means ākonga will: 

  • have a better idea of how what they are learning can directly contribute to further study, work, and life 
  • have a better idea of what transferable skills they have gained through school, work, and other life experiences 
  • consider what future success means for them and their community, and how they can achieve it
  • be more engaged and have ownership of their learning by seeing its relevance now and into their future
  • be better equipped for them and their whānau to make confident and informed decisions about next steps.

Why every teacher is a teacher of pathways

No matter what ākonga choose to do beyond school, they will carry the knowledge and skills developed with them throughout life, including into the world of work. Discipline-specific knowledge can be applied to life and developed further through study and application, as can transferrable skills (such as problem solving and communication) valued by employers. 

Every teacher can play an active role by showing how subjects can open opportunities for ākonga. This encourages them to consider what their next steps could be.

How can I support my class with their pathways?

  • Draw on your school’s links to connect with iwi, employers and the local community to help bring the learning to life. 
  • Connect with regional education to employment brokers to make connections with the world of work. 
  • Contextualise learning to help show ākonga and their whānau its relevance to life outside school. 
  • Use the pathways guidance included in the learning tab for each NCEA subject to inform your planning, teaching and pathways conversations with ākonga. 
  • Share your pathway experience, and those of others you know, with ākonga. This will help them to understand that having several pathways and transitions in life is common and that their first step after leaving school is not the end of their journey. 
  • Support ākonga to create mind maps that identify the key knowledge and skills they are learning in your subject and learning area. Then map the possibilities of where that could lead with future work and life opportunities. 
  • Use the Vocational Pathways profile builder to check how the standards you are using align with the pathways groupings to help ākonga make connections to future pathways. 
  • Familiarise yourself with successful models of teaching that connect to the world of work and future training. 
  • Put up the Ki hea rā? subject/learning area posters in your teaching and learning space. 
  • Connect with your school’s careers advisers. Do students have a career profile? Do you know what your class profile is or what student interests are for their future life? How can you connect what you are teaching with their aspirations?
  • Connect the skills you are teaching through your subject and learning area to key employability skills:

A positive attitude | Waiaro pai

Communication | Whitiwhiti kōrero

Teamwork | Mahi ngātahi

Self-management | Whakahaere-whaiaro

Willingness to learn | Ngā pūkenga whaakaro

Thinking skills | He hiahia ki te ako

Resilience | Pakaritanga

[ Heading ]

Raising the status of quality vocational education

Schools can continue to raise the status of quality vocational education and celebrate students who excel in vocational education through a number of ways: 

  • End-of-year prizegiving: Present awards that acknowledge achievements in vocational education and students’ hard work. 
  • Special announcements: Feature outstanding students during school events, announcements, publications, the school website or the school’s social media channels - highlight their achievements, skills and future aspirations. 
  • Skill demonstrations: Provide opportunities for students in vocational education to showcase their skills during school events like open evenings, career fairs or whānau engagements. This allows them to demonstrate their skill to potential employers and inspire younger students. 
  • Guest speakers: Invite industry professionals or successful alumni who undertook vocational programmes to speak to students. 
  • Mentorship: Connect students in vocational programmes with mentors in their field of study.
  • Partnership with industry: Partner with local businesses or industry associations to offer scholarships, internships, or job shadowing opportunities to students. 
  • Display area at school: Create a display area showcasing student work, projects or achievements.

Schools can continue to raise the status of quality vocational education and celebrate students who excel in vocational education through a number of ways: 

  • End-of-year prizegiving: Present awards that acknowledge achievements in vocational education and students’ hard work. 
  • Special announcements: Feature outstanding students during school events, announcements, publications, the school website or the school’s social media channels - highlight their achievements, skills and future aspirations. 
  • Skill demonstrations: Provide opportunities for students in vocational education to showcase their skills during school events like open evenings, career fairs or whānau engagements. This allows them to demonstrate their skill to potential employers and inspire younger students. 
  • Guest speakers: Invite industry professionals or successful alumni who undertook vocational programmes to speak to students. 
  • Mentorship: Connect students in vocational programmes with mentors in their field of study.
  • Partnership with industry: Partner with local businesses or industry associations to offer scholarships, internships, or job shadowing opportunities to students. 
  • Display area at school: Create a display area showcasing student work, projects or achievements.
[ Accordion ]

You can draw on these resources to support ākonga Māori with their pathways.

  • Nau Mai Te Anamata: Tomorrow’s Skills is a report created by Tokona Te Raki: Māori Futures Collective. It recommends which skills to nurture for the future. 
  • The NZQA website has information for Māori whānau on how to support their tamaiti through their NCEA journey. 
  • Te Puni Kokiri | Ministry of Māori Development has cadetship stories. These are some examples of what has worked well for supporting ākonga Māori with their pathways. 
  • Moneyhub and Careers.govt.nz have information on scholarships for ākonga Māori. 
  • Te Hekenga ki Hawaikihou supports teaching and learning te reo Māori. You can search it for relevant content, tools and resources.
[ Accordion ]

You can draw on these resources to support Pacific learners with their pathways. 

  • The Action Plan for Pacific Education 2020 – 2030 (download below). This identifies key objectives for embedding pathways support for Pacific learners in schools.
  • The NZQA website has information and resources for supporting Pacific learners’ pathways. For example, you can share:
  • The Saili Malo career resource Level Up! Prepare for your Future. This is a set of activity workbooks focused on career activities for learners and their whānau.
  • Moneyhub guide and Careers.govt.nz have information on scholarships for Pacific learners.

[ File Resource ]

  • Title: Pacific Action Plan
  • Description: 2020 - 2030
  • File URL: https://ncea-live-3-storagestack-53q-assetstorages3bucket-2o21xte0r81u.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2024-03/Pacific-Education-Plan-Summary.pdf?VersionId=PWW.a_ms8wjDFr9E6zLy.bUxBe__NUSp
  • File Extension: pdf
  • File Size: 818KB

[ Accordion ]

Education to Employment Brokers help to connect ākonga with the world of work. This can include setting up ākonga with paid employment opportunities.

You can find your local service at:

RegionBrokerContact
AucklandAuckland Business ChamberEmail: ed_em@chamber.co.nz

Phone: 0800 709 907
BlenheimThe Marlborough Chamber of CommerceEmail: megan@marlboroughchamber.nz

Phone: (03) 577 9575
CanterburyMotivationz LtdEmail: marg@motivationz.co.nz


Phone: 027 552 2255
Greymouth (West Coast)Development West CoastEmail: info@dwc.org.nz

Phone: 0800 768 0140
Hawke's Bay & TairāwhitiEastern Institute of TechnologyEmail: e2e@eit.ac.nz

Phone (Hawke's Bay): 027 685 7755
Phone (Tairāwhiti): 027 564 9881
Hutt ValleyHutt Valley Chamber of CommerceEmail: info@hvchamber.org.nz

Phone: (04) 939 9821
Eastern Bay of PlentyToi Kai RawaEmail: aroha@toikairawa.co.nz

Phone: 022 033 5802
ManawatūTalent Centralenquiries@talentcentral.ac.nz
Nelson TasmanNelson Regional Development AgencyEmail: kiaora@lifelab.nz
OtagoBusiness SouthEmail: info@business-south.org.nz

Phone: 03 479 0181
RotoruaTaiohi Tūrama: Rotorua Centre for YouthEmail: trevorj@taiohiturama.org.nz

Phone: 021 0904 2207
South CanterburyVenture TimaruEmail: liam@venturetimaru.nz

Phone: (03) 688 9380
Tai Tokerau, NorthlandTai Tokerau Trades Training LtdEmail: corporate@4ts.nz

Phone: (09) 430 2919
WaikatoTe Wānanga o AotearoaEmail: e2e@twoa.ac.nz

Phone: 027 202 7838 or 027 324 1759
WellingtonWellington E2E Centre IncorporatedEmail: yes@e2ecentre.org

Phone: 021 44 8392
Western Bay of PlentyPriority OneEmail: info@priorityone.co.nz

Phone: 07 571 1401
WhanganuiAGCPhone: 0800 348 8215

 

[ Accordion ]

Over time, it is intended that skill standards will replace unit standards as the core components of vocational qualifications. It may take several years for a significant number to be developed. In the meantime, you can include unit standards in your course planning as you usually would. 

The six Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) are responsible for developing and maintaining industry qualifications and unit standards. They are also responsible for running national external moderation, endorsing consent to assess applications for unit/skill standards within their coverage areas and approving applications for micro-credentials they have developed. Ohu Ahumahi provides a guide to which WDC covers which industries and provides links to the six WDCs.

[ Heading ]

Broad curriculum programmes supporting pathways in schools

We visited a few schools and kura to look at how their broad curriculum offerings are preparing students for work and further training or study. Some of these examples have taken advantage of additional funding available through programmes such as Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR), Gateway, and Trades Academies.

We visited a few schools and kura to look at how their broad curriculum offerings are preparing students for work and further training or study. Some of these examples have taken advantage of additional funding available through programmes such as Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR), Gateway, and Trades Academies.

[ File Resource ]

  • Title: Rotorua Boys' High School
  • Description: Responsive programmes open doors to a range of careers
  • File URL: https://ncea-live-3-storagestack-53q-assetstorages3bucket-2o21xte0r81u.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-12/Approved%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Rotorua%20Boys%27%20High%20School%20-%20Responsive%20programmes%20open%20doors%20to%20a%20range%20of%20careers.pdf?VersionId=eH4AHVg2AkZ1UKk3HCYX6U2tXHHLyMcT
  • File Extension: pdf
  • File Size: 802KB

Download
Download

Rotorua Boys' High School

Responsive programmes open doors to a range of careers
Responsive programmes open doors to a range of careers

[ File Resource ]

  • Title: Bay of Islands College
  • Description: Programmes empower students to give back to the community
  • File URL: https://ncea-live-3-storagestack-53q-assetstorages3bucket-2o21xte0r81u.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-12/Approved%20-%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Bay%20of%20Islands%20College%20-%20Programmes%20empower%20students%20to%20give%20back%20to%20the%20community.pdf?VersionId=FySm3toY6wzs7aUKJvq_A.MgH5UFtWeO
  • File Extension: pdf
  • File Size: 1MB

Download
Download

Bay of Islands College

Programmes empower students to give back to the community
Programmes empower students to give back to the community

[ File Resource ]

  • Title: Macleans College
  • Description: Accounting enrolments soar as learning is linked with future careers
  • File URL: https://ncea-live-3-storagestack-53q-assetstorages3bucket-2o21xte0r81u.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-12/Approved%20-%20Fact%20Sheet%20Macleans%20College%20-%20Accounting%20enrolments%20soar%20as%20learning%20is%20linked%20with%20future%20careers.pdf?VersionId=8TtoCnf005W4p7g8TwzxE3L84F4YuaZd
  • File Extension: pdf
  • File Size: 841KB

Download
Download

Macleans College

Accounting enrolments soar as learning is linked with future careers
Accounting enrolments soar as learning is linked with future careers

[ File Resource ]

  • Title: Auckland Grammar School
  • Description: Careers-linked courses prepare students for life beyond school
  • File URL: https://ncea-live-3-storagestack-53q-assetstorages3bucket-2o21xte0r81u.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-12/Approved%20-%20Auckland%20Grammar%20School%20-%20Careers-linked%20courses%20prepare%20students%20for%20life%20beyond%20school.pdf?VersionId=430D80TDu0CaILWRrkAHFSAT3j5Y1CAd
  • File Extension: pdf
  • File Size: 1MB

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Download

Auckland Grammar School

Careers-linked courses prepare students for life beyond school
Careers-linked courses prepare students for life beyond school

[ Video Resource ]

  • Title: Te Wharekura o Ruatoki
  • Description: Vocational programmes at Te Wharekura o Ruatoki
  • Video Duration: 4 minutes
  • Video URL: https://player.vimeo.com/video/703953727
  • Transcript: EnglishVocational education and training pathways are supported through NCEA. We visited some schools to find out how their work programmes are preparing students for work or further training.Well

[ Video Resource ]

  • Title: Palmerston North Boys' HS
  • Description: Vocational programmes at Palmerston North Boys’ High School
  • Video Duration: 3 minutes
  • Video URL: https://player.vimeo.com/video/703955758
  • Transcript: EnglishVocational education and training pathways are supported through NCEA. We visited a few schools and kura to look at how their vocational programmes are preparing students for work

[ File Resource ]

  • Title: NCEA Pathways Case Study
  • Description: Palmerston North Boys High School
  • File URL: https://ncea-live-3-storagestack-53q-assetstorages3bucket-2o21xte0r81u.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-03/PNBHS%20Case%20Study.pdf?VersionId=4FdKrqYMPYwdrL0iHUYge7q9aR4vNhFk
  • File Extension: pdf
  • File Size: 536KB

Download
Download

NCEA Pathways Case Study

Palmerston North Boys High School
Palmerston North Boys High School

[ File Resource ]

  • Title: Palmerston North Boys High School
  • Description: Vocational programmes at Palmerston North Boys' High School
  • File URL: https://ncea-live-3-storagestack-53q-assetstorages3bucket-2o21xte0r81u.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2022-05/Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Vocational%20Programmes%20at%20Palmerston%20North%20Boys%20HS_1.pdf?VersionId=W8JWL_FKnW3bahPxtkGO00YBUhHSZUT.
  • File Extension: pdf
  • File Size: 419KB

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Download

Palmerston North Boys High School

Vocational programmes at Palmerston North Boys' High School
Vocational programmes at Palmerston North Boys' High School

[ Video Resource ]

  • Title: Geraldine High School
  • Description: Vocational programmes at Geraldine High School
  • Video Duration: 3 minutes
  • Video URL: https://player.vimeo.com/video/703956892
  • Transcript: EnglishVocational education and training pathways are supported through NCEA. We visited a few schools and kura to look at how their vocational programmes are preparing students for work

[ File Resource ]

  • Title: Geraldine High School
  • Description: Vocational programmes at Geraldine High School
  • File URL: https://ncea-live-3-storagestack-53q-assetstorages3bucket-2o21xte0r81u.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2022-05/Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Vocational%20Programmes%20at%20Geraldine%20High%20School_0.pdf?VersionId=Er.HMkm1dq1BBRxODpiAfZts_IJkiuwV
  • File Extension: pdf
  • File Size: 397KB

Download
Download

Geraldine High School

Vocational programmes at Geraldine High School
Vocational programmes at Geraldine High School

[ Video Resource ]

  • Title: Women in Trades
  • Description: See how schools are supporting pathways for young women to go into trades and vocational learning opportunities.
  • Video Duration: 3 minutes
  • Video URL: https://player.vimeo.com/video/726895792
  • Transcript: EnglishVocational education and training pathways are supported through NCEA. We visited a few schools to look at how they are supporting pathways for young women to go into trades and vocational learning opportunities.Our students don't all want to go to university. Approximately 65 per cent of our last year’s Year 13s didn't go to university. So vocational pathways is invaluable for those students for whom university is not the preferred choice.And with industry as it is

[ Video Resource ]

  • Title: Trades Academies
  • Description: See how schools and kura are working with tertiary providers to prepare students for work, further training or study.
  • Video Duration: 3 minutes
  • Video URL: https://player.vimeo.com/video/726897710
  • Transcript: EnglishVocational education and training pathways are supported through NCEA. We visited a few schools and kura to look at how they are working with tertiary providers to prepare students for work