MICRO-CREDENTIALS GET A ROARING UPTAKE FROM SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
National enrolments into MITO’s secondary school micro-credential programmes have exceeded 580 already in just one term, and the upwards trend is continuing. The majority of these enrolments are for MITO’s StartUp® micro-credential which is an industry-approved introduction to the automotive industry including both eLearning and practical workplace learning, offered to year 11-13 students. With industry currently facing a shortage of talent, it is promising to see so many keen learners getting a kickstart on their careers ahead of leaving secondary school.
Paraparaumu College Gateway Co-ordinator Shelley Marshall is a big advocate for the StartUp® programme. “It’s very successful in giving students an understanding of the automotive industry and helping them into employment. I’ve always enjoyed the support from MITO’s Training Advisors who are always available to me and my students.”
StartUp® has proven successful in preparing young learners for industry and employers are delighted to see young people entering the industry with their apprenticeship effectively already underway. With the StartUp® programme offering practical experience to students in their local workshops, many students have been offered jobs straight out of school.
When Ōtaki College Head Boy Donald Hall enrolled in StartUp®, his host employer was thrilled to see a young person taking the initiative to kickstart their career. Donald was able to go into the workshop outside of classes and learn practical skills to prepare himself for a future career as an Automotive Technician. “StartUp® prepared me and set me up with everything I needed to know,” says Donald, who proved to be an exceptional worker and was offered a permanent position right out of school. He is now underway to becoming qualified by completing MITO’s New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering (Level 3 and 4).
MITO is pleased to see so many secondary school students and members of the industry engaging with our micro-credential programmes to develop a healthy pipeline for industry. Learn more about MITO’s micro-credential programmes and our school engagement activities here.