Youth Guarantee

Supporting young people to achieve NCEA.

These initiatives aim to support learners in developing their own pathways towards future work and careers, and help educators meet the needs of their students.

This site provides a suite of resources, tools and support for educators, learners and employers. 

Vocational Pathways map level 1-3 assessment standards to six industry sectors to show how NCEA learning and achievement is valued by employers.

Youth Guarantee Fees Free courses help young people access foundation learning (NCEA levels 1-3) without paying course fees.

Trades Academies and Services Academies are partnerships between schools, industry training and tertiary providers to provide learners with a blended learning programme aligned with a Vocational Pathway.

Introducing six Vocational Pathways

Introducing six Vocational Pathways

set of icons representing the 6 initiatives

Planning a Vocational Pathway

Step 1

Choose the assessment standards achieved or aiming for

Step 2

Enter standards and view progress towards Vocational Pathways using the Profile Builder

Step 3

Research career paths and check out job opportunities on Careers NZ

Further Vocational Pathways information:

young people examine a replica human skeleton at a gym

For students and whānau

Learn about making your school studies relevant in the real world in six important industry pathways, how to get involved and what to focus on at school.
training young people with computers

For education providers

Guidance for schools, Industry Training Organisations (ITOs), and tertiary providers who wish to develop contextualised learning programmes using the six Vocational Pathways.

For employers

The benefits of pathways developed and endorsed by industry, providing Kiwi organisations with skilled and capable young people who are prepared for work and further study.

Opportunities at school

There are a number of fees-free options for Kiwi school students to prepare for the world of work.

Two young people on a tractor

Trades Academies

Trades Academies are partnerships between schools, tertiary providers, industry training organisations (ITOs) and employers where students can access a blend of learning from the school curriculum, industry training, and tertiary provision. 

Services Academies

Services Academies are run by schools in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). The programme consists of NCEA subjects at school as well as youth life skills and leadership courses run by the NZDF.

Opportunities beyond school

Youth Guarantee fees free tertiary programmes provide 16-24-year-olds who have left school with opportunities to study towards NCEA or equivalent qualifications at tertiary providers free-of-charge.