Information for parents, family and whanau
What happens in schools?
On this page
- What schools are required to do
- How do schools meet the needs of your child?
- Who is there to help?
- What career-related programmes are happening at your child's school?
- Other related programmes and services
- Key times in the school year for career planning - when are they?
- Transition out of school - what happens?
What schools are required to do
Schools are required to provide appropriate career education from Year 7 (Form 1) upwards. There is also an emphasis on equipping young people who are at risk of leaving school with the necessary skills for work.
Because of this requirement, your child will have access to career education and guidance in their school. The ultimate goal is for young people to leave school with:
- a developed sense of self-awareness
- an awareness of opportunities
- the ability to make decisions and plans
- the ability to take action.
Source: Ministry of Education, National Administration Guidelines for Career Education
"Career information and guidance in schools provides students with up-to-date labour market information and maximises their ability to make informed choices about study and career options. Every student should leave school prepared for further education or employment, and knowledgeable about their future opportunities."
Elizabeth Eppel, Former Group Manager, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
How do schools meet the needs of your child?
Funding of career education
Each school has a decile rating of 1 (low) to 10 (high). Decile ratings are based on a combination of socio-economic factors, and influence the amount of money that a school receives.
Secondary schools receive a Career Information Grant, which is based on the decile rating and number of students in that school. The lower the decile, the more funding a school receives. The Career Information Grant is not “tagged”, which means that the money may be used for purposes other than career education.
Who is there to help?
Each school usually has a careers adviser, and some schools have a careers department. This may depend on:
- the size of the school
- commitment to integrating careers through the whole curriculum
- skills and commitment of staff.
Student support in secondary schools generally involves the following people:
Careers adviser
In some large schools the careers adviser holds a full-time position, although they often have teaching hours as well. A careers adviser’s duties might include:
- being available to students and parents
- helping students choose subjects
- talking to students about careers
- working with students for specific purposes (eg CV and interview preparation, how to look for jobs)
- ensuring career-related information is easily accessible to students
- speaking to form classes
- being involved with career-related activities in the classroom
- organising career events (eg careers evenings, trips to career expos)
- working with teaching and guidance staff
- compiling student reports for other agencies (eg university hostels).
Guidance counsellor
The guidance counsellor is there to help your child. They can help with career decisions as well as other aspects of your child’s life that might impact on their career decisions. You should talk to the guidance counsellor about any concerns you may have about your child’s career planning.
If your child is suspended or stood down, the principal will involve the guidance counsellor.
- Deans and subject teachers can help your child
Deans
In most schools, each year level will have a dean. A dean’s responsibilities vary from school to school, but they generally include:
- helping meet students’ needs
- helping students stay on track
- assisting with subject choices
- some guidance
- disciplining students
- being involved with external exam requirements.
Subject teachers
Subject teachers usually make themselves available to talk to students about where they are at, what subjects to consider for the following year, and how subjects relate to the world of work.
Whānau group leaders
Some schools have whānau groups. The person responsible for each group is a teacher, who is the first point of contact when a student runs into difficulties.
Other support in schools
Other forms of support for your child at school might include:
- A mentoring programme, where Year 13 prefects act as mentors for Year 9 students. The programme is aimed at assisting students with the transition to secondary school.
- Youth Transition Services (YTS), a government-funded organisation which helps support young people with their transition from school.
What career-related programmes are happening at your child's school?
At the end of August each year, students are expected to finalise the subjects they will be taking the next year. To help them with their decisions, schools generally start to run career programmes from the beginning of Term 3, which allows students plenty of time to explore ideas.
Schools are now likely to offer more programmes than when you were at school. Some of these might be:
Gateway
- Gateway is a good way to find out about a job
- Gateway is a school-run work experience programme for Year 11–13 students involving one day a week in an industry work placement. It is funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
- Students undertake assessments for National Qualification Framework credits (which also counts towards NCEA).
- To get into the programme students need to go through interviews with the school (usually the Gateway co-ordinator) as well as the employer.
- There may be other programmes similar to Gateway offered in your child’s school where a student can work in apprenticeship and trade type training while still being enrolled at school. Talk to the careers adviser to find out what other types of programmes your child’s school may offer.
How to understand NCEA - a guide for parents
A step-by-step guide to getting into the Gateway programme
TEC website - Gateway, the school-based work experience programme
Youth Apprenticeship Scheme
The Youth Apprenticeship Scheme gives secondary school students industry-based training, tertiary education and work experience in their chosen trade while still at school. Students are also able to gain credits towards an apprenticeship while at school.
The Youth Apprenticeship Scheme was piloted in 2008 at 20 schools. In 2009, another 100 schools are being invited to join the scheme. This will be extended to all secondary schools by 2011.
STAR programme
The Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR) programme was established in 1996. It provides Ministry of Education funding to all state-integrated schools with students in Year 11–13.
The funding:
- gives students the chance to try out possible careers
- may be used to provide courses at school or with external providers
- gives students opportunities to try out tertiary education while still at school
- provides practical, hands-on, work-based experience
- supports students in exploring career pathways and helps them make informed decisions.
Check out the step-by-step guide to getting into the STAR programme
Ministry of Education website – more information about the STAR programme
- Careers expos are a good way to find out about a range of careers
Career events
Schools generally advertise these events on their website or through newsletters or emails. Some career events your child’s school might offer are:
- career expos (these are called Coke expos in some regions)
- careers evening/day organised by the school and often involving employers, industry training providers, the defence forces, Career Services, polytechnics and universities
- teacher/parent evenings, an opportunity for you to meet with your child’s teachers to discuss their progress
- subject choice evenings, where you are invited to attend with your child to discuss the subjects they want to take the next year
- university open days, where students are given the opportunity to visit universities (these may be two or three day events, depending on travel distance)
- visits by tertiary providers.
Visit your child’s school’s website regularly to stay in touch with events and other news.
Correspondence
Your child’s school may offer students the opportunity to study some subjects through The Correspondence School. This usually happens when there is a requirement for a subject that the school is unable to provide a teacher for (eg languages).
Find out from your child’s school what subjects they can offer by correspondence.
The Correspondence School website - how The Correspondence School works
Academies
Students within an academy programme may do core school subjects (eg maths or English) for a portion of the week, and then focus on academy subjects for the rest of the time. Academy subjects generally include:
- hospitality
- agriculture
- forestry
- trades
- sport.
Students are able to achieve NCEA credits in academy subjects. Academy time is less structured and students benefit from a more hands-on approach to learning.
Other related programmes and services
Whilst not career related the following programmes and services may be offered at your school to support your child and are worth a mention:
Gifted and Talented programme
The Ministry of Education has funds available to support special programmes in schools for students who are gifted and talented in the arts.
Find out if your child’s school is involved with the Gifted and Talented programme.
Support for migrants
The Ministry of Education provides funding to schools that offer English language programmes to students for whom English is a second language. Each region also has a Refugee Education Co-ordinator.
Find out from your child’s school the contact details for your region’s Refugee Education Co-ordinator.
Ministry of Education website - information on the English language programme
Special education
Students with special education needs may receive support from the Ministry of Education, Special Education (GSE) until the time they leave secondary school.
Key times in the school year for career planning - when are they?
Subject choice time
This is the most common time for parents and children to be focused on subjects and future choices. Here’s some specific advice:
- Help your children with subject choice
- Conversation starters and tips for talking about careers with your children
- Choosing school subjects – what to think about
NCEA results notice arrives
Do you understand your child’s NCEA results? What does this mean for their plans next year? Find out more about NCEA:
- Understanding NCEA – help for parents
- NCEA and getting into courses and jobs
- Understanding NCEA and the National Qualifications Framework
Transition out of school - what happens?
The transition from school into further training, study or work can be a scary process for your child. Schools are committed to helping with this process. To make the transition easier, schools may offer:
- programmes such as Gateway and STAR
- help with CV preparation and interview skills
- help with the preparation of university, polytechnic and scholarship applications
- to network with industry, training providers and ITOs on behalf of your child
- career counseling and guidance
- to liaise with parents
- to conduct an exit interview with your child
- support and follow-up after your child has left school
- to refer your child to Youth Transition Services.
Finishing school
Your son or daughter is leaving school at the end of Year 13. Do they have a plan? Here’s some help to work through their options:
Entering study or training – information for parents
Entering study or training – information for secondary students
Going into tertiary study action plan (PDF - 79K)
Leaving school early
What if your son or daughter wants to leave school before Year 13? Are they prepared?
What to think about when your child wants to leave school early
If you have concerns about your child’s transition from school it is a good idea to talk to the school’s careers adviser. Remember, your school is funded to help you and your child.
