The Wellington Trades Academy (WTA) is a combined venture offered by Whitireia and WelTec. They offer Level 2 courses to secondary school students in the greater Wellington region, helping students pursue their interests and Vocational Pathway in a new, hands-on learning environment that will prepare them for further study within their chosen pathway or for entering the work force. UCol also offer Trades Academy courses which are both Level 2 and 3 courses and can be attended at Otaki College or in Palmerston North (a bus is provided from Otaki College to Palmerston North). WTA has campuses in Porirua, Petone and Wellington. There is also the occasional Trades Academy course offered by Primary Industry.  For 2020 we have three students enrolled on a one day a week Level 2 Farming Course.

Trades Academy involves dual enrolment. This means they are enrolled in Paraparaumu College and in the Trades Academy they are attending. Most of these courses are part-time programmes which means they will attend the Trades Academy 1-2 days per week and Paraparaumu College for the remaining 3 days. As students remain enrolled at their secondary school, they can continue to participate in co-curricular activities such as sport, cultural or social events and activities. 

Students benefit greatly from these courses as they learn to self-manage finding their way to the Trades Academy and become familiar with tertiary institutions and how they are managed.

We currently have Trades Academy Students enrolled for the following courses in 2020:

  • Construction Trades
  • Creative Technology
  • Farming
  • Engineering and Automotive
  • Engines
  • Hospitality
  • Salon Environment

 

All Trades Academy programmes are “fees free”. To be eligible students must be enrolled in a secondary school and:

  • Preferably have 60 credits at NCEA Level 1 including literacy and numeracy.  Applications may be considered for students who hold fewer than the recommended NCEA credits
  • Be committed to the programme
  • Have the support of family and whānau
  • Have the support of their secondary school, and
  • Have the physical ability to carry out the practical components of the chosen programme

All Trades Academy programmes are aligned with the Ministry of Education Vocational Pathways. Please contact Kim Kelly or Shelley Marshall for more information