New Zealand’s largest tertiary-based Trades Academy increasing numbers

Our Trades Academy for secondary school learners is growing, with Ministry of Education (MoE) increasing the number of funded places next year by more than one hundred.

That will take the number of MoE-funded places to 965 and with an increase in Secondary School-funded places, the total number across all campuses will be 1587 in 2027.

Rahera Tupaea, Pathways Manager, is now responsible for all Trades Academy programmes at MIT and Unitec having previously managed Ōtara, Manukau and TechPark programmes. She says there is always strong demand from secondary schools.

“We had requests for over 2000 places for next year which is testament to the great lecturers, learning environment and the hard work of our Pathways and Transition team. We are the largest tertiary-based Trades Academy in Aotearoa,” Rahera says.

The Government announced in this year’s annual Budget, $69 million of funding to nearly double the number of places in Trades Academies throughout the country over the next four years. That will be approximately 20,000 MoE-funded places every year for industry-led learning by 2030.

Ms Tupaea says she’s enjoying managing Pathways across our campuses.

“At Mt Albert, we’ve got new Secondary Schools to liaise with. It’s been nice to put the feelers out and see what other schools might be interested in coming to Mt Albert Campus,” she adds.

Pathways Manager Rahera Tupaea (5th from left, back row) and the Pathways support team.

The Pathways team is looking at different ways of expanding provision further.

“We are working with the Veterinary and Animal Sciences School to teach the Level 3 Certificate programme for our secondary school students.

“Another thing we would like to do is have secondary school learners study alongside our full-time students at Mt Albert. We’re in Building 108 and we’ve got full workshops every day. It’ll be nice if we could work with some of the schools and, be able to take our rangatahi into Mataaho (Mt Albert Campus Trades Building) and blend them in with the full-time students so they can see that pathway for themselves.”

Te Haikura a Kiwa (formerly Jame Cook High School) in Manurewa is increasing the number of learners accessing trades academy through us from 60 this year, to 80 in 2027.

Lisa Lolesio, Director Pathways, Te Haikura a Kiwa, says the Pathways team at MIT and Unitec has been amazing.

“The impact on students has been amazing. They give very clear updates, so easy to work with,” Lisa says.

“Our students are always praising the career focus approach of the lecturers. The campus is convenient and very accessible for us.”

Julie Prentice, Director – Pathways and External Engagement, MIT and Unitec, says the increase in MoE funding is great news.

“It’s a vote of confidence that we’re delivering outstanding applied education to these rangatahi and providing them with a pathway to an interesting and fulfilling career. Rahera, her team and all the lecturers have been doing a fantastic job. The students learn a lot, they are engaged and are always well-looked after by the team.

“The growth doesn’t stop here. We’re looking to continue to expand our offering for secondary schools and that could be an increase in physical space somewhere in the region. Training secondary school learners will play an important role as we establish ourselves as a significant institution in Aotearoa and the Asia – Pacific region.”

Massey High School will fund 187 places at Mt Albert for their learners next year. That is an increase of 50 from 2026.

MIT and Unitec offers Trades Academy programmes in the following study areas: 

• Animal Care
• Architecture Design & Construction
• Automotive
• Bakery
• Barbering
• Building & Landscaping
• Carpentry & Construction
• Digital Technology
• Early Childhood Education
• Electrical
• Engineering
• Floristry
• Hairdressing
• Health Care
• Hospitality
• Life Skills for Assisted Learners
• Plumbing
• Police and Fitness Studies
• Tourism