UCOL U-Skills Academy Award evening approaches in Whanganui

Secondary school students have had the opportunity to obtain job skills by participating in UCOL U-Skills Academy programmes. Photo / Jacob McSweeny

Secondary school students from Whanganui that have completed U-Skills academy programmes at UCOL will be celebrated on October 24.

There will be a U-Skills Academy Award Evening at the Central Baptist Church on Wicksteed Street starting at 5pm.

Over 400 students from the lower North Island will finish the year with news skills and knowledge in their chosen vocational pathway after completing the programmes.

The programmes give secondary school students the option of learning through UCOL for one day per week and focus on giving them industry-relevant skills as well as NCEA credits.

UCOL schools partnerships manager Hayden Robinson said this year's students were of a high calibre and benefited from the programmes in a number of ways.

"U-Skills Academy programmes give students vocational pathway skills and knowledge," Robinson said.

"The programmes also give them a taste of a tertiary learning environment, help them with their personal growth and confidence, and can relate directly to employment or further training."

Enrolments for U-Skills Academy programmes are on track to grow in 2019, with over 330 students having already applied.

Other areas hosting academy award evenings are Wairarapa, Palmerston North and Otaki.