Industry Insider
We recently had a fantastic 'Industry Insider' session with Adam and Nick from Foster Construction, a leading commercial construction company right here in the Waikato. It was an excellent opportunity for our students to gain firsthand insights into a dynamic and rewarding industry.
Adam and Nick shared their personal career journeys, providing a relatable and inspiring look at how they got to where they are today. They spoke about their different paths into the commercial construction sector, from starting out in trades to moving into management roles. They also shared their extensive knowledge and experience, discussing everything from the project lifecycle to the essential skills required for a successful career in construction. They emphasized the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and communication in managing large-scale projects, showing students that there's a role for everyone.
A massive thank you to Adam and Nick for sharing their time and inspiring our students! Their passion for their work was contagious, and they provided a great look at what it takes to build the structures that shape our community.
Waikato Trades Academy
It's been a fantastic year for our students in the Wintec Trades Academy programme! They've been thriving in their courses and putting their skills to the test with a range of practical tasks. We've loved seeing them in action, applying their learning in real-world situations. Below are some photos of our students at work in the Automotive Engineering and Cafe Skills courses.
The programme will be wrapping up in early Term 4, and we're already looking ahead to next year. Interviews for the 2026 courses will begin late in Term 3 or early in Term 4. Invitations will be sent out to suitable students who have applied for the programme, so please make sure to keep an eye out for these.
Scholarships
We've had a busy and successful scholarship season! Over 80 of our students have been working incredibly hard, applying for a wide range of scholarships at universities all across New Zealand. While the majority of scholarship applications are now closed, some opportunities, such as those at Wintec, are still open.
The Pathways team has been focused on writing references and supporting our students' applications, and we couldn't be prouder of their hard work and dedication. We wish all our students the very best as they await the results. If you have any questions about scholarships, please contact [email protected].
The Importance of NCEA Exams for University Success
With exam season just around the corner, we want to highlight the importance of preparing for and sitting your upcoming exams. Even if you don't need the credits to pass the year, the experience of studying and sitting an exam is invaluable practice for your future.
Many tertiary programmes, particularly at universities, have a large portion of their grades tied to external assessments and exams—sometimes up to 80%. By completing your exams now, you'll be much better prepared for the pressure of these future assessments.
In fact, research from the University of Auckland shows that students who achieve 20 external credits are 92% more likely to succeed in university study. This demonstrates a strong link between your current efforts and your future success.
So, let's get studying and finish the year strong. Good luck to all our students!
Service Academy Presentations
The Service Academy had some fantastic visitors last week! We were joined by members from St John's Ambulance Service and Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR), who came in to talk to our students about their vital roles.
The teams shared insights into their day-to-day work, the skills required to join, and the specialist kit they use. It was a brilliant opportunity for our students to get a real feel for what the industry is like and learn more about these critical emergency services. A huge thank you to both St John's and LandSAR for giving up their time to speak with our students.
