The first senior high school students at the new Hawke's Bay Schools Trades Academy @ EIT were welcomed on Friday. The 16 and 17-year-olds attend EIT from 9am to 2.30pm every Friday over the coming school year.
The Trades Academy is providing practical skills training for 150 students this year while allowing them to study industry-based tertiary qualifications.
Trades Academy manager Paul Hursthouse said the EIT and schools partnership had generated enormous interest. A hundred places were originally allocated for the first year but demand was so high the Ministry of Education agreed to provide additional funding to increase student numbers.
There were 14 secondary schools providing fees-free places for training in hospitality, automotive, hair and beauty services, trade skills, animal care and sport and recreation. The academy is one of 10 opening this year, providing students further opportunities to gain NCEA Level 2, and helping students identify clear pathways to further education, training and employment.
