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/ Pathways to Employment / Programmes
Each Ara programme is connected to broader employment pathways, helping young people grow confidence, understand workplace expectations, and take practical steps toward training, work, and long-term progression.
Schools Build is a successful and innovative partnership between industry, government agencies and five local schools to create employment and training opportunities for South Auckland school leavers. It was set up as a practical means of helping rangatahi into jobs by supporting them with the transition from school into work.
Year 12 -13 Secondary students who are interested in practical, hands-on learning and want to explore pathways into trades, further training, or employment.
South Auckland High School Trades Academy students attend practical work experience at our house renovation site once a week:
Rangatahi can build:
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.
Alternative Education is for young people aged 13–16 who are not currently engaged in mainstream schooling and would benefit from a smaller, more personalised learning environment.
Students take part in hands-on, practical learning that builds confidence, skills and positive connections. Activities include construction projects, gardening, cooking, outdoor learning, workplace visits and community-based experiences. Literacy, numeracy, wellbeing and cultural identity are integrated into everyday learning through real-world activities.
Our programme supports rangatahi to re-engage in learning, strengthen confidence and develop the skills needed for future success. Working alongside whānau, schools and community partners, we help young people progress into further education, training and employment pathways.
PATHWAYS IN TECHNOLOGY (P-TECH) is a high school/early tertiary program, developing digital skills and job ready students. It is a three-way partnership that brings together the best elements of high school, tertiary education and the professional world. P-TECH enables students to begin their tertiary and professional lives early and with more support than the typical school-to-work pathway.
Students will graduate with a degree qualification and with the skills and knowledge they need to secure an entry-level position in Information Technology fields or continue to complete study in a higher education institution.
Rangatahi interested in technology, digital skills, problem-solving, and future-focused career pathways.
P-TECH links students learning to the world of work, tertiary study and entry-level jobs. Through the five-year pathway, students have access to industry mentors, workplace experiences and site visits, authentic learning opportunities and paid internships.
The P-TECH model ensures relevant curriculum content and uses a skills mapping process which makes sure skills taught are relevant to the industry, up to date and aligned with business needs.
Our pilot Work Experience programme connects rangatahi with employers across the Auckland Airport precinct, providing real workplace exposure and practical pathways into employment and training.
Year 12–13 students who want to explore career pathways and understand different industries and roles within the airport precinct
Structured placements one day a week over a school term give students real workplace experience, exposure to industry environments, and confidence for future pathways into work and training.
Students gain:
Ara’s Rangatahi Pathways to Employment programme helps young people build practical skills, gain industry certifications, and move into sustained employment across the Auckland Airport precinct.
Through hands-on learning, workplace exposure, and intensive pastoral support, rangatahi build the confidence, capability, and readiness needed to succeed in work and grow over time.
Rangatahi aged 15-24 who are not in employment, education or training and looking for practical, hands on learning
Rangatahi gain:
If you would like to learn more about Ara’s programmes or explore the right pathway, our team is here to help.
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