What if ākonga (students) could swap the classroom for a landscaping company, a veterinary clinic, or a design studio – without missing a beat in their education? At Albany Senior High School (ASHS), the Gateway programme is doing just that, helping our rangatahi step out of textbooks and into real-world careers.
Real-World Learning, One Day a Week
Running twice a year for around 14 weeks, Gateway places Year 12 and 13 students into workplaces across the community every Wednesday. That’s one full day a week where ākonga are immersed in industries that match their interests – anything from education to engineering. Gateway has allowed us to bring vocational education into our school curriculum for any ākonga to experience.
Credits, Reports and Industry Skills
This isn’t just a day off school; ākonga complete training and workbooks relevant to their workplace, which earns up to 20 NCEA credits through industry and employability standards. They also complete a written report and have an official exit interview after their placement, reinforcing the connection between academic work and real-world application.
Building Soft Skills and Confidence
Through Gateway, ākonga build essential soft skills that are highly valued by employers – from writing CVs and preparing for interviews, to planning their careers, learning about site safety, and providing excellent customer service. It’s a well-rounded programme that not only builds competence, but confidence.
Industry Partners Who Inspire
Puretu Puangi, Short Courses & Cultural Engagement Manager at Crown Institute of Studies – who has worked with ASHS’s Gateway Barista programme for three years – describes it as a mutually enriching experience.
“I’ve learnt a lot from the kids. I see them blossom and grow confidence throughout the course. Their attitudes transform – from quiet and reserved, to volunteering for anything and everything. One standout moment this term was seeing students who suffer from anxiety overcome their fears and doubts, leaving them genuinely empowered.”
Puretu credits ASHS’s Gateway co-ordinator and learning culture for setting high expectations early: “The hard work is already done before I step into the classroom. The expectation is instilled before I come in – it’s a testament to ASHS’s real-world learning environment.”
Student Voices: A Programme That Delivers
ASHS students Mackenzie, Isabel and Mckenzie highlight the Barista’s programme’s practical rewards. “It’s so rewarding to challenge yourself with new skills, and it’s great for your CV. We’ve learnt machinery safety, health and safety in the workplace, and even about the history of coffee! We’ve really built strong teamwork, organisation, and communication skills. There’s a huge difference in our confidence between day one and now, and it’s setting us up so well for careers in hospitality.”
A Stepping Stone to Future Success
Whether it’s mastering barista techniques or discovering a passion for healthcare, Gateway offers a hands-on, kinaesthetic learning experience that’s invaluable. It’s a stepping stone into future careers – and a real confidence booster.
