training opportunities for taiohi
discover where you can get the training that will make you stand out
did you know?
If you’ve left school or you’re thinking about leaving, you could get support from a youth coach to find the training that’s right for you.
train for industry: the youth guarantee
The Youth Guarantee offers free places on courses that prepare you for work in six key industries:
- social and community services
- construction and infrastructure
- manufacturing and technology
- primary industries
- service and hospitality industries
- creative industries.
It gives you the opportunity to get NCEA-Level qualifications while you develop the skills employers are looking for.
It’s offered in schools, polytechnics and trade academies all over the country. You can find out more about the scheme and how to apply at the Youth Guarantee website.
get vocational qualifications: private training establishments
Private Training Establishments (PTEs) are schools that teach you the special skills you need to work in certain industries, like:
- hospitality
- business
- technology.
There are hundreds of PTEs around New Zealand, and they offer a huge variety of courses.
Training at most PTEs can be done fees free.
You can find out more about what's on offer near you at Study New Zealand.
learn on the job: mana in mahi
If you’re keen to train for a new career and like the idea of being paid while you’re learning, you can make it happen through the Mana in Mahi programme.
You’ll join a business in an industry you enjoy and get on-the-job training while you work towards an NZQA qualification. What you learn will set you up for a great career, and your qualification will make you stand out.
As part of the programme, you’ll get coaching and other support to succeed, plus help to pay for things like work clothes and tools. You can also receive extra payments of up to $6,000, depending on how long you continue training.
You can read more about the scheme and how to apply at the Work and Income website.
boost your confidence and your cv: limited service volunteer
This six-week training course will boost your confidence and teach you the core skills and qualities that employers want to see.
It’s a live-in course, run by the New Zealand Defence Force in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The course is free, and all your expenses will be paid while you’re there.
On the course, you will:
- build your confidence
- earn NZQA credits
- develop leadership and teamwork skills
- get fit
- meet employers
- make friends and have a great time.
You can find out more about Limited Service Volunteer and how to apply at the Work and Income website.
make yourself stand out: part-time work or volunteering
Working and volunteering part-time are great ways to:
- try out different jobs and see if you like them
- learn useful skills like dealing with customers or using a till
- discover what’s expected of you in the workplace.
Employers love to see that you’ve worked or volunteered before – even if just for a few hours a week. It shows that you’re a mature, reliable person who wants to do well and makes things happen.
Many communities have volunteer databases that list the jobs that need volunteers. Have a look online and see if there’s a match for you.
volunteering New Zealand - find volunteering roles in your community
school or college
School isn’t for everyone, but it’s the best place to be for some taiohi. At school, you can:
- study lots of different subjects
- get the academic qualifications some employers want to see
- spend time with other young people doing lots of different things.
If you've dropped out of school, or you're thinking of leaving, we may be able to support you to continue with your education or training.
teen parent unit
Teen parent units support taiohi who are pregnant or already parents. They will support you to access a range of services that will minimise barriers, helping you to get a good education.
Registered teachers manage the units and will support you to learn – focusing on literacy, numeracy, and career competencies.
training incentive allowance
The Training Incentive Allowance (TIA) can help with things like tuition fees, books, childcare, equipment, and transport costs that will help you while your studying.
The allowance is available for courses at levels 1-7 of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.
You can find out more about TIA and how to apply on our TIA page:
apprenticeships
With an apprenticeship, you can earn money while getting skills and qualifications.
New Zealand Apprenticeships teach you a trade such as:
- building
- engineering
- hairdressing, barbering or beauty
- agriculture or horticulture
- tourism
- sports or fitness.
As an apprentice, you:
- work for, and learn from, an employer who supports you through your apprenticeship
- complete practical, on-the-job assessments such as showing you can lay carpet
- attend courses that are part of the apprenticeship such as block courses, evening courses and day-release classes
- complete written assessments.
You can find out more about apprenticeships from the Careers NZ website.