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Careers Information


Choosing Your Course

Study a broad a range of subjects for as long as possible to allow more choices beyond school.

Pathways Day runs in term 3 each year to help students access information they need to select courses.

The Northcote College Course Directory contains information about qualifications and subjects offered at school. It lists entry requirements, what is studied and the assessments planned for each subject.

The subjects you select are crucial to your future so careful thought is needed. 

The further students go in the senior school, the more difficult it becomes to change that direction.

Think carefully about where each subject will lead, and whether it fits in with their intended career or study path.


Gateway

Gateway offers senior students the chance to gain work experience in their industry of interest and will offer support as you undertake learning and assessment in the workplace. 

The programme aims to provide students with between 5 - 20 days of actual work placement, depending on the industry and the time required to complete the learning plan.  Students have their workplace learning assessed against unit and or achievement standards on the National Qualifications Framework and this is integrated with their current programme of study which is undertaken in school. 

Gateway work placements will usually commence in Term 1 or 2 with a view to being completed by the end of Term 3.

Students are carefully screened before being admitted to the programme.

Gateway is funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and is supported by over 250 businesses.

Gateway allows students to:

  • Experience work in the real world
  • Build links with industry training organisations
  • Customise learning to meet their needs.
  • Develop individual skills for employment
  • The opportunity to try out potential career options

Students selected for the programme are offered a placements in a field of interest such as: a mechanics workshop, a 5 star hotel, an aircraft hangar, a veterinarian’s surgery, a 3D animation studio, a construction site, a hospital laboratory . . . the list goes on.

Our school has formed some wonderful relationships with local employers and business as well as company’s based around greater Auckland.

During Term 4 each year, Northcote College students are given the opportunity to apply for a place on the following year’s programme. However at any point during the school year students are welcome to call into the Gateway office (located in Te Korowai Aroha) and discuss the benefits of taking part in the programme.


STAR Courses

STAR courses are short work-based learning programmes and can offer unit standard credits for vocational, education and training courses at level 1 or above. Priority is given to students intending to go straight into the workforce.
STAR offers students:

  • opportunities to try out possible careers
  • new skills that are appropriate to the workplace
  • opportunities to trial courses that lead to a qualification
  • a curriculum that is more relevant to working life
  • practical “hands on” work-based experience
  • a chance to experience a different learning environment
  • courses are free

Courses are advertised to Year 11 – 13 students throughout the year, and run both in term-time and during the holidays.
As limited places are available on each course the criteria for selection includes:

  • Attendance
  • Number of credits gained towards a qualification
  • Career aspirations
  • Attitude

University Websites

The most up to date information about university courses and entry requirements can be found on the website of each university. Here are quicklinks to New Zealand universities.

If you plan to study overseas check the specific requirements carefully through the university website and talk to Ms Meade if you need help or advice.