Practical education pathways

An increased focus on showing students possible career opportunities locally runs through the Careers office at Marlborough Boys’ College.

The senior Gateway program sees students placed with businesses across Marlborough, which contributes to work experience on CV’s, NCEA credits and BCITO qualifications.

Eight weeks into the school year, students are settling into their placements - which Jared Bell and the careers staff aim to specifically cater to the interests, talents and school subjects of students.

“We have seven senior careers classes, which Gateway students come from to be placed locally with a range of employers and industries - some doing multiple different placements”, says Jared.

“Schools set up academic pathways for students wanting to attend university, but in the last 10 or 15 years, we’re a lot more aware many kids stay at school to get NCEA Level 2 while focusing on trades and other vocational options which Gateway adapts to.

“We pride ourselves on matchmaking students, subjects and employers by getting a feel for who’d be a good employer for each boy, but many businesses have been ongoing supporters, so we know them well.

“Year Nines go through a 20-hour careers course that’s as interactive as possible for broadening horizons and making boys aware of jobs and pathways out there including having Gateway students speak about their programme”.

Jared says that the scope of the school’s funded placements and additional opportunities the school pays out-of-pocket is down to businesses eager to be involved.

“Each student does independent programmes - working with a builder requires different focuses than with a chef - while general careers classes focus on transitional skills, pathway planning, health and safety and workplace etiquette”.

Students Finn Neal and Jordyn Gardiner are part of the Gateway programme – with Jordy working with a builder and Finn gaining work experience in animal husbandry and butchery.

“I’m enjoying the variety of hands-on experience as I’m interested in agriculture, so having dual placements covering the whole process from farm to butchery tab has been eye-opening”, Finn says. “Carpentry is what I’m interested in and what my dad does, but I’m earning credits, working towards BCITO qualifications and getting work experience at Townley Construction all in one”, adds Jordy.

While roles like construction and electrical are always popular, opportunities are dependent on availability and matching them with interested boys.

“Last year we had boys shadowing nursing and paramedicine professionals at Wairau Hospital, which was a lot more work but paid off in opportunities like being in surgical theater for an eye operation”, recalls Jared. “The hard part for some is a sustained day out a week of subjects like physics is more of a challenge to catch up than project-based subjects like construction. “But we never rule anyone out of a pathway.”

And while work experience is rewarding for the students, it’s just as rewarding for staff, says staff member Darlene Purdie.

“I’ve worked across schools and youth work roles, but speaking with businesses and seeing student’s attitude and work ethic change overnight when they’re engaged in their learning as part of Gateway, it might be the most rewarding.”