Pupils get taste of trades at polytech

Otago Polytechnic automotive lecturer Hamish Miller (centre) takes high school pupils through car...
Otago Polytechnic automotive lecturer Hamish Miller (centre) takes high school pupils through car engine care. Photos by Peter McIntosh.
Otago Polytechnic electrical lecturer Jake Gray shows Sebastian Seals (16), of Otago Boys' High...
Otago Polytechnic electrical lecturer Jake Gray shows Sebastian Seals (16), of Otago Boys' High School, and Grace Auckland (16), of Kavanagh College, the workings of an electrical switchboard.

Future tradies are getting a head start at Otago Polytechnic.

Otago secondary school pupils interested in automotive and electrical trades and veterinary nursing are spending their Fridays learning hands-on skills at the polytechnic.

Polytechnic communications director Mike Waddell said 40 pupils, from as far afield as Palmerston and Balclutha, were enrolled in the Trades Academy programme.

The programme provided pupils the advantage of a foundation in practical skills, while still working towards their high school qualifications.

''Effectively their workshop is Otago Polytechnic,'' Mr Waddell said.

''These kids have probably done well in NCEA level 2 but they are looking at `what's the bigger picture I can explore'.''

For year 12 Otago Boys' High School pupil Sebastian Seals the appeal of the programme was the practicality.

''I hope to get into an [electrical] apprenticeship and then a trade,'' he said.

''The best thing is you can get the basics out of the way so you can get on to the real training.''

He hoped to become an electrician because ''there's never enough sparkies''.

Sebastian said he planned to achieve NCEA level 3 before beginning an apprenticeship after secondary school.

Otago Polytechnic electrical lecturer Jake Gray said about half of the pupils planned to pursue a trade.

The programme had been offered at Otago Polytechnic's Central Otago campus and its popularity led to its implementation in Dunedin.

''We are very pleased with the uptake,'' Mr Waddell said.

''We only see it growing from now.''

The programme had government funding for 30 pupils and the high schools had picked up some of the cost.

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