Kapiti Skills offers pathways to learning

The road to learning is opening up at Kapiti Skills Centre.

Kapiti Skills Centre is a Private Training Establishment where students generally gain national certificates. But last year, three students also achieved NCEA level one.

Manager Linda Spray said, "Kapiti Coast has one of the highest exemption rates in the country. We have a lot of young people leaving school early without achieving a qualification. We realised we could offer NCEA and the National Certificate in Employment Skills at the same time."

The NCEA students gained eight credits in English, eight credits in maths and the remaining credits in employment related skills such as computing, customer service, outdoor recreation, and learning about the community.

Linda says the centre is not competing with schools but works with students who find school isn't the right place for them.

"At this level we’re helping these young people realise 'I can achieve'."

Linda says it's been a real boost to the students to get NCEA level one but she emphasises that’s only the start of life-long learning. Two of the graduates from 2006 have returned to Kapiti Skills for 2007 while one has gone on to further study elsewhere.

"This is not the end of the road… we try to open students' eyes to career options and further training."

Kapiti Skills has 40 students aged from 15 to 60 and four full-time tutors. New staff, in the last two years, have been motivated to try new things. With support from NZQA provider development and support, they have been able to offer NCEA level one and plan to offer level two qualifications this year.