UCOL BLOG

The Minister of Education Anne Tolley will visit the construction site of UCOL’s new Trades facilities tomorrow (Wednesday), to discuss the new Trades Academy which partners UCOL with regional secondary schools to boost youth participation in Trades training.

The Minister will be at the Carpentry workshop in UCOL’s existing Trades facilities in Princess Street from 10 a.m. to 10.40 am. Secondary school principals, including Awatapu’s Tina Sims and trades teachers, will also attend. Awatapu College in Palmerston, Makoura College in Wairarapa, Horowhenua College, and Intranz in Whanganui will be key participants in the Trades Academy initiative across the region.

UCOL has announced plans to upgrade its trades training facilities in in Princess Street, with Chief Executive Paul McElroy saying the upgrade will future proof a place for trades training in the future, provide a modern and exciting learning space for staff and students that meets 21^st Century needs, and be open in time for classes next year.

“Add to this the announcement by Education Minister Anne Tolley that UCOL will coordinate a new Trades Academy based at UCOL in Palmerston North, with hubs in Whanganui and Masterton, the new facility becomes a necessity, and strengthens the opportunities for trades training even further, said Mr McElroy.

The new Trades Academy – to be called U-Skills – Central Schools Academy – will offer trades and technology related programmes to secondary students, as part of a new partnership between UCOL, local schools, industry groups, employers, industry training organisations and other training organisations. The partnership approach helps students progress smoothly and directly through secondary school via tertiary education into employment.