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/ Pathways to Employment / For Schools & Whānau
Supporting young people into work
Ara works alongside schools and whanau to help rangatahi explore career options, build work readiness, and transition from education into employment. Our pathways connect learning with real workforce opportunites across the Auckland Airport precinct, with practical guidance before, during, and after the move into work.
Ara combines career exploration, practical preparation, industry exposure, and ongoing guidance to help rangatahi take confident steps toward work
We support rangatahi to:
Ara offers a range of pathway programmes and experiences designed to meet rangatahi at different stages. Each pathway helps young people builld confidence, understand the world of work, and connect with future employment opportunties.
Practical, industry-aligned learning for Year 12 & 13 secondary students interested in trades and hands-on work. Through real projects and worksite experience, students build confidence, work readiness, and clearer pathways into further training or employment.
Our Alternative Education programme creates opportunities for rangatahi to reconnect with learning through practical, hands-on experiences in a supportive environment. We focus on building confidence, capability and positive pathways, helping young people develop the skills they need to thrive in education, employment and life.
A technology pathway that spans secondary schools, tertiary learning, and industry experience. Students build digital skills, gain mentoring and workplace exposure, and develop the confidence and capabilites needed for future-focused careers.
Our Work Experience programme connects Year 12-13 students with airport employers to provide structured, real-world exposure to careers within the precinct one day a week over a school term.
A free 12-week programme for rangatahi aged 16-24 designed to develop transferable skills through construction projects, with pathways to sustained employment, underpinned by intensive pastoral care.
Over the last 10 years, we’ve helped young South Aucklanders build the capability and confidence to step into working life – not just into a first opportunity, but toward work, skills, and progression that can last.
Our pathways support:
rangatahi building confidence, capability, and pathways into work
learners supported through skills, training, and workforce pathways
people placed into employment within the precinct
employer partners across aviation, construction, services, logistics, retail, hospitality, and more
Ara works closely with schools, whanau, employers, and community partners to create pathways that are practical, well-supported, and connected to real workforce opportunities.
We work with partners through:
Whether you want to refer a young person, explore a school partnership, or learn more about Ara’s pathway programmes, our team can help you find the right next step.
If you would like to learn more about Ara’s programmes or explore a partnership with us, our team is here to help.
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