Open main menu Close main menu

Menu

Study supported learning today

New Zealand Certificate in Skills for Living and Working

This two-year programme is for school leavers and adults with learning disabilities (including those with intellectual disabilities). Do you want to build skills and move into work or further study? 

Level
1
Credits
75 (0.625 EFTS)
Campus
Mt Albert
Start dates
February
Duration
Full-time for two years

Programme overview

In this programme, you will be able to use what you have learnt in real work and life experiences. There will be interactive group sessions focused on things like problem-solving projects, lifestyle planning and goal setting. You will complete reflective logs, online learning, and presentations. 

Programme highlights

  • Develop communication and social skills 
  • Improve numeracy and literacy skills  
  • Build up your confidence, self-awareness, and self-esteem 
  • Increase your knowledge and appreciation of Aotearoa 
  • Improve your computer and goal-setting skills 

Talk and Tour

Before you apply for this programme, we would love for you to join our teaching team for a talk and tour session. 

These are for students, their families and whānau, support people, teachers, and transition specialists. Here, you can find out more about our programme, and take a brief tour of our Mt. Albert campus. 

More Talk and Tour information

Literacy and Learning

You could also sign up for Literacy and Learning. This is a part-time vocational course for supported learners. It will give you the opportunity to transition into tertiary education. It will also help you develop work-related, independent, co-operative, and communication skills.  

You will get a certificate as an acknowledgement for completing the course. 

More Literacy and Learning information

New Zealand Certificate in Skills for Living and Working

You can also apply directly for our 2-year, full-time programme.  

Year 1 - Skills for Living

  • You will create an initial plan to focus your studies on your hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
  • You will make friends while becoming more independent, and able to maintain your health and wellness.
  • You will be able to use problem-solving techniques, as well as numeracy, literacy, and digital skills in your everyday life.
  • We will support your transition from school to the next step in your life. This may be work or further study.

Year 2 - Skills for Working

  • You will be able to work for one day a week. Staff help you and your whānau find the right work setting for you.
  • You will be able to reflect on your work, so you’ll be able to find, secure, and maintain future jobs.
  • You will understand the importance of having a good worth-ethic.
  • We will support you to make a referral to a supported employment agency such as Poly Emp, who will help with your career planning, job search, and support.

Fees

You may be eligible for funding under the Fees Free policy or the Training Incentive Allowance (TIA) through WINZ.

What next?

Once you have successfully completed the programme, you will receive the New Zealand Certificate in Skills for Living for Supported Learners (Level 1) with an optional strand in Skills for Working.  

Graduates who successfully complete this programme will be able to have the opportunity to secure sustainable employment.. You may choose to be referred to Poly-Emp who will help you with your career planning, job search, and support. 

Admission requirements

1. Check whether you meet the following requirements, then click ‘Apply Now’ and fill in the online application form. 

  • Be 18 years of age on the first day of the semester in which you start your studies 
  • Be a New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident 
  • Demonstrate a level of English communication that allows you to participate in the programme 

2. We will be in touch within 48 hours. You will need to provide the following information via your application dashboard: 

  • Two forms of ID 
  • A CV that demonstrates appropriate work or other life experience 
  • Two references from employers or professional colleagues 
  • Consent to a Police vetting check for the purpose of work-based learning placements 

3. We may invite you and your whānau to an interview. This is so we can ensure you have the abilities required to succeed in the programme. 

For more information, download the programme regulations

Programme Regulations

Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses including timetables, please click on the course names below.

Courses Credits Aim
Developing Communication Kaupapa Korero Tahi (Sem A) (BPED1201-SA) 4.0 credits (0.033 EFTS) This course introduces students to effective basic communication skills for completing daily tasks and resolving everyday issues together with an acknowledgement and understanding of cultural diversity and Tikanga Māori .
Developing Communication Kaupapa Korero Tahi (Sem B) (BPED1201-SB) 4.0 credits (0.033 EFTS) This course introduces students to effective basic communication skills for completing daily tasks and resolving everyday issues together with an acknowledgement and understanding of cultural diversity and Tikanga Maori.
Managing Everyday Living Kaupapa Kaiao Tahi (Sem A) (BPED1202-SA) 4.0 credits (0.033 EFTS) This course introduces students to effective skills managing everyday situations, including the establishment of good routines and time management for achieving goals using aids such as digital devices.
Managing Everyday Living Kaupapa Kaiao Tahi (Sem B) (BPED1202-SB) 4.0 credits (0.033 EFTS) This course introduces students to effective skills managing everyday situations, including the establishment of good routines and time management for achieving goals using aids such as digital devices.
Health and Wellbeing Kaupapa Hauora Tahi (Sem A) (BPED1203-SA) 4.0 credits (0.033 EFTS) This course introduces students to the concept of Hauora: achieving good social, physical, spiritual mental and emotional health.
Health and Wellbeing Kaupapa Hauora Tahi (Sem B) (BPED1203-SB) 4.0 credits (0.033 EFTS) This course introduces students to the concept of Hauora: achieving good social, physical, spiritual mental and emotional health.
Planning for Work Kaupapa Whaimahi Tahi (Sem A) (BPED1204-SA) 3.0 credits (0.025 EFTS) This course introduces students to a range of work-related skills and strategies used to plan and find work; and create an awareness of the rules, rights and responsibilities of employers and employees.
Planning for Work Kaupapa Whaimahi Tahi (Sem B) (BPED1204-SB) 3.0 credits (0.025 EFTS) This course introduces students to a range of work-related skills and strategies used to plan and find work; and create an awareness of the rules, rights and responsibilities of employers and employees.
Responsible Citizenship Kaupapa Raraunga (Sem A) (BPED1205-SA) 5.0 credits (0.042 EFTS) This course introduces students to the concepts of being a responsible citizen through one’s own actions through the interaction with groups and communities including respecting and understanding cultural diversity as well as having an awareness of the importance of Te Tiriti O Waitangi in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Responsible Citizenship Kaupapa Raraunga (Sem B) (BPED1205-SB) 5.0 credits (0.042 EFTS) This course introduces students to the concepts of being a responsible citizen through one’s own actions through the interaction with groups and communities including respecting and understanding cultural diversity as well as having an awareness of the importance of Te Tiriti O Waitangi in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Communication for Work Kaupapa Korero Rua (Sem A) (BPED1206-SA) 3.0 credits (0.025 EFTS) This course introduces students to basic communication skills for the workplace including respect and understanding of cultural diversity in working with others.
Communication for Work Kaupapa Korero Rua (Sem B) (BPED1206-SB) 3.0 credits (0.025 EFTS) This course introduces students to basic communication skills for the workplace including respect and understanding of cultural diversity in working with others.
Health and Wellbeing for Work Kaupapa Hauora Rua (Sem A) (BPED1207-SA) 3.0 credits (0.025 EFTS) This course builds on student knowledge of concepts of Hauora; relating to maintaining good social, physical, mental and emotional health in the workplace including the impact of digital devices on health in the workplace.
Health and Wellbeing for Work Kaupapa Hauora Rua (Sem B) (BPED1207-SB) 3.0 credits (0.025 EFTS) This course builds on student knowledge of concepts of Hauora; relating to maintaining good social, physical, mental and emotional health in the workplace including the impact of digital devices on health in the workplace.
Managing Everyday Living for Work Kaupapa Kaiao Rua (Sem A) (BPED1208-SA) 3.0 credits (0.025 EFTS) This course builds on student knowledge and skills of maintaining good routines to meet work and safety commitments
Managing Everyday Living for Work Kaupapa Kaiao Rua (Sem B) (BPED1208-SB) 3.0 credits (0.025 EFTS) This course builds on student knowledge and skills of maintaining good routines to meet work and safety commitments
Preparing for Work Kaupapa Whaimahi Rua (Sem A) (BPED1209-SA) 2.5 credits (0.021 EFTS) This course prepares students for work placements, building on the development of a range of work-related skills and strategies for securing appropriate workplace opportunities and reinforces the rules, the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees in the workplace.
Preparing for Work Kaupapa Whaimahi Rua (Sem B) (BPED1209-SB) 2.5 credits (0.021 EFTS) This course prepares students for work placements, building on the development of a range of work-related skills and strategies for securing appropriate workplace opportunities and reinforces the rules, the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees in the workplace.
Work-Based Learning Tumahi (Sem A) (BPED1210-SA) 6.0 credits (0.05 EFTS) This course supports students in work-based learning experiences to apply appropriate attitudes and behaviours needed to be productive in the workplace and explores strategies needed to resolve issues within the rules of the work placement.
Work-Based Learning Tumahi (Sem B) (BPED1210-SB) 6.0 credits (0.05 EFTS) This course supports students in work-based learning experiences to apply appropriate attitudes and behaviours needed to be productive in the workplace and explores strategies needed to resolve issues within the rules of the work placement.

Unitec is part of Te Pūkenga

On 1 October 2022 Unitec became part of Te Pūkenga. Find out more about Te Pūkenga and what this means for you.