UCOL offers 40 free study spots

Study will be free at UCOL next year for 40 students who qualify for a place on the Government's $52.7 million youth guarantee scheme.

The Government announced in August that it will fund 2000 students to attend courses at polytechnics, wananga and private training establishments.

The aim is to keep students in education, and is targeted towards those who may be left behind or struggle in school settings.

In the Manawatu and Wanganui regions, 65 places have been announced – 40 of these at UCOL polytechnic.

Deputy chief executive Clare Crawley said UCOL would offer a variety of one-year certificate programmes, which should appeal to young students and lead to further advanced study.

UCOL was happy to be part of the scheme, which would help young people learn new skills and improve their prospects, she said.

In the coming weeks, local secondary schools and the Social Development Ministry would select students who might suit the scheme.

UCOL would then hold a selection interview, Ms Crawley said.

The 40 UCOL places include certificates in hairdressing, fashion, health and beauty, electrical trades, auto engineering, health technology and science, tourism, travel consultancy, automotive panel and paint, motorsport, and construction and employment skills.

The other 25 places have gone to two independent tertiary providers: Wanganui-based Training for You, which offers certificates in childcare, teacher aiding, horse skills and animal care, and G&H Training, which offers carpentry qualifications.

The youth guarantee was one of the initiatives backed by Prime Minister John Key as part of a package aimed at helping 16- to 18-year-olds.

SCHEME WELCOMED

Local principals are welcoming the new scheme tentatively, saying they will be watching closely to see how it works.

Freyberg High School principal Peter Brooks said that although it was a good chance for young people who wanted to get into trades, the impact on his students would be small.

"You are talking about pretty small numbers ... there are about 20 secondary schools in the Manawatu, so we might get two or three places."

Selection interviews meant that the young people who got into the scheme might be the ones who would carry on vocational study anyway, even without financial help. "We'll wait and see."

Awatapu College principal Tina Sims said it was another pathway for students who might otherwise drop out. "I think it's another opportunity available to young people, and that's a good thing."

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