YOUTH GUARANTEE PROGRAMME BAY OF PLENTY POLYTECHNIC

The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic is delivering the Youth Guarantee Programme in 2013 as part of the government initiative announced in the 2009 budget.

This initiative is aimed at improving the educational achievements of youth, by giving them the opportunity to participate in fully funded vocational courses. Promising to “engage young people that may otherwise be left behind by the education system” it is targeted at teenagers who are finding that school is not for them.

For 2013, the programme being offered for the Youth Guarantee learner is the:

Certificate in Maritime and Fishing Technology (Level 3 – 110 credits)

This programme has 6 courses and will be covered over the year:

1.       First Aid

2.       Seafood Processing

3.       Navigation and Seamanship

4.       Sea Survival and Safety

5.       Vessel Operations

6.       Ropes, Nets and Wires

This is a pre-sea programme that will help you develop the skill sets needed to work as a deckhand in fishing, charter and aquaculture on a wide range of vessels within the seafood and maritime industry.

There will be a requirement that foundation learning skills, like building a language skill base and understanding everyday calculations and measurements will be built into the teaching of the programme.

The Youth Guarantee Programme will be offered in three communities based at Marae at Mangatawa, Te Puke and Tauranga. Each cohort will have a minimum class size of students.

The programmes will be facilitated by coordinators who are skilled in managing both the pastoral and learning requirements of the learners in the first instance before providing full scale launch into the programme specific.  The coordinators will identify and respond to the individual and group learning and pastoral needs.

Experts from within the commercial fishing industry will deliver the knowledge and skills relative to the programme requirements.

The following activities are included as part of ensuring students are programme and life-ready. Such activities will include:

·         Vocational Planning

·         Nutrition and hydration

·         Fitness and wellness, including being able to swim.

·         Civic and community responsibility including marae and tikanga awareness

·         Environmental appreciation

·         Effective communications

·          wānanga

·         Other prior approved life skills qualifications

The programme will run from February until late November.

Applications for this programme need to be signed off by student and parent/caregiver and must agree not to apply for Student Loans during their enrolment on this course.

For further information:

Sharlene Henare Group Leader Education and Māori Development

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Email:shar.henare@boppoly.ac.nz Ph 07 5710190 ext 6812 / 027 422 3387