Two years, full-time
February
Windermere Campus
This programme is particularly suited to people with an intellectual disability. We will help you increase your opportunities for paid employment by teaching you new skills in a supportive student-focused environment. This is a very practical programme with classes usually held three days a week and up to two days in work experience so you can develop the skills you have learned. Modules include preparation for work, health, safety and wellness, personal identity and care, work experience and a Unit Standards elective.
Entry
You don’t need any academic or school qualifications but you do need to be at least 17 years of age.
We are looking for people who, although needing support from us, are keen to learn, meet new friends, enjoy Polytechnic life independently and most importantly, gain some valuable employment and personal skills.
Qualifications Gained
- Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Certificate in Work Skills (Supported Learning) Level 1
You may also be able to achieve enough credits to receive the:
- National Certificate in Work and Community Skills (Supported Learning) Level 1
Aimee Johnson
Graduate – 2006 Certificate in Work Skills
Employed – Administrator Support at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Tauranga
It’s hard to believe Aimee was a self-confessed shy girl, majorly lacking in confidence and finding it hard to do things without the assistance of her Mum. Now she bustles energetically around Bay of Plenty Polytechnic campus in her role as Administration Support with a smile of self-assuredness and purpose.
Aimee believes doing the Certificate in Work Skills had a huge hand in giving her confidence and lots of new opportunities.
"The course helped me gain confidence in myself in a huge way. It also gave me the opportunity to do what I wanted to do. I’ve always loved helping people and especially doing office work. I’m really glad my Mum encouraged me to do it."
This friendly young woman has since gained a part-time role in the Polytechnic as Administration Support. She keeps herself busy with daily tasks such as sorting the vast amount of Polytechnic mail, photocopying, filing, typing and other office duties.
Impressively, she has also since completed the International Computer Drivers Licence Level 2 and has ambitions to undertake the Certificate in Business Administration Level 2 – no mean feat for a girl who, in the past, didn’t believe in her own capabilities.
"I have had a lot of support from lots of different people around the Polytechnic who believed in me. Before I sat the ICDL tests, I was often nervous but then I thought ‘no I can do this!’ When I passed it felt really good. I was over the moon!"
Enrolling in the Certificate in Work Skills programme has not only opened doors of employment but has had other unforeseeable benefits. Aimee has also moved into a flat with another of the Work Skills graduates and is enjoying her new found independence. It’s onward and upward for this keen graduate!
Profile written: 2009
Leonie Richards
Graduate - 2008 Certificate in Work Skills (Supported Learning) Level 1
Employed - General Assistant at Gate Pa Primary School and Cleaner at Nova Energy in Tauranga
Leonie has a variety of responsibilities in her new job as General Assistant at Gate Pa Primary School. Not only is she a library assistant putting books away on the shelves, she also helps children with their reading and helps distribute fruit to the classrooms. She does dishwashing, clothes washing, lost property and shredding. She’s a busy woman around the school and is thrilled with every aspect of it.
"I absolutely love my new job! And I love getting paid too!"
When it comes to being enthusiastic, it is not only money that makes her clock tick. Leonie was known for excelling at the many workbooks, calculations and unit standard activities executed in the classroom by the Certificate in Work Skills students at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.
"Polytechnic was just the right environment for me to mix with people my own age and learn basic life skills which included handling money, using the phone and even personal grooming. I liked being part of Work Skills because the tutors are friendly and the activities we did during class helped keep my mind active."
Mr Richards, Leonie’s father, also believes having to make decisions such as taking the bus and getting to the Polytechnic by herself and on time helped his daughter become more disciplined, independent and responsible for herself. As for Leonie, she’s beaming. "That’s not the only thing, though. Work Skills also helped me feel more confident about being in the work force. I am happy to be given more work hours now so I can earn more!"
Profile written: 2009
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