Trades Academy 2024

The West Coast Trades Academy

Learn more about the West Coast Trades Academy and view the Programme Guide.

The West Coast Trades Academy gives secondary school students the chance to start training for a trade while they are still at school. Students in year 11, 12 and 13 have the option to study in a trades programme as well as working towards their NCEA qualifications. The West Coast Trades Academy provides Vocational Pathways training options.

If you want to stay at school but are keen to start training for work, the West Coast Trades Academy is the place for you. Their training is designed so you can study with them but still stay at school, be around your friends and keep doing all the extra-curricular activities such as sports, drama and music that you love. It’s the best of both worlds. You still do all the fun school stuff, but at the same time you get a head start on your career by working towards NCEA Level 2 and 3 and gain valuable work related skills in the Trades Academy programme of your choice.

Students are pre-enrolled by our school Pathways Coordinator Jasmine Fitzgerald after you've made an expression of interest and attended a school interview to ensure Trades is a suitable pathway for you. A student interview with caregivers and Trades Academy coordinators takes place before the enrolment is confirmed. Training is either provided at Tai Poutini Polytechnic, by Whenua Iti Outdoors, or MAINZ/SIT Southern Institute of Technology. There are no fees for Trades Academy learning and transport is provided to get students to their learning destinations.

A two-year commitment is expected from you to achieve NCEA Level 2 and 3 and achieve the credits offered by your trades programme. The Trades Academy staff will work closely with you and our school to make sure you are managing your studies. If you need support, advice or extra help please talk to Jasmine Fitzgerald our Pathways Coordinator.  

Programmes include:

• Building and Construction
• Automotive Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering and CAD Design
• Agriculture
• Civil Construction and Earth Moving
• Conservation and Earth Care
• Computer Programming and Web Design
• Cookery
• Cafe Skills
• Hair and Beauty
• Manaaki Tāpoi
• Uniformed Services
• Civil Defence Emergency Response
• Adventure Leadership
• Environmental Sciences

The West Coast Trades Academy (WCTA) is a partnership between all of the West Coast secondary schools, area schools, and tertiary institutions. Greymouth High School coordinates the Academy, and Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP), Whenua Iti Outdoors (WIO), Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), and Papa Taiao Earthcare are Tertiary Partners for WCTA.

Benefits of the Trades Academy

• Start training for a career while studying at school
• No fees
• Gain workplace skills, develop independence and responsibility for your learning, self esteem and communication skills.
• Be work ready with workplace skills, training, NCEA level 2 7 3 credits and a vocational pathways award.