This year’s graduates and students from UCOL Te Pūkenga Wairarapa [UCOL] are reaping the benefits of their hard work by taking up new employment opportunities throughout the region, or going on to further study.
UCOL Wairarapa director Carrie McKenzie told the Times-Age that she is encouraging those who are thinking of studying next year to start enrolling now to ensure there is enough staffing for each of the courses provided through UCOL.
“On the whole, we are doing incredibly well, and our enrolments are looking very good for the majority of our programmes,” McKenzie said.
“There are some of them that are looking a bit slow, but they do have a late enrolment pattern.”
This year’s UCOL student outcomes and their employment status are as follows:
Health and
Wellbeing Level 4
There were eight students in the cohort, seven of whom were employed locally in the health and wellbeing sector after graduating from their course.
Five students have applied or indicated that they will be applying to further study in 2024, with three of them planning to study Social Work, and two preparing to do a Diploma in Counselling.
Emerging Stylists Level 4 and Salon Support
There were nine students in the cohort, seven of whom have gained a job in the industry locally and two students are currently seeking employment.
Chef Training
There were 13 students in the cohort, and all passed the programme.
One student has taken on the role of a full-time chef at Wharekauhau.
One student was promoted to Chef de Partie [a mid-senior rank, section manager position] at CBK restaurant in Masterton.
One student is working as a chef at Nara on the Square in Martinborough.
One student has been employed by Wairarapa Hospital.
Nursing
There were 18 students, all of whom have been offered jobs as registered nurses.
Beauty
Five first-year students studying for a Certificate in Beauty have been employed in the beauty industry in Wairarapa.
From Certificate in Makeup and Skin Care Level 3, six students are going to study UCOL’s Beauty Level 4 programme.
From U-Skills Makeup and Skin Care, two students are going on to study UCOL’s Beauty Level 4 programmes.
Construction
There were 13 students who graduated from the course, three of whom are currently working in the trade for work experience, while four are looking for roles, and two have decided to return to study.
Nine students from UCOL’s Level 3 U Skills programme have secured full-time work in the trades, with three moving into its full-time programme.
Auto Engineering
13 students completed the programme, representing an 83 per cent overall pass rate, a 100 per cent Māori pass rate, and an 81 per cent pass rate for the under 25 age group.
Level 3 students:
Three students have apprenticeships.
One graduate is working in auto engineering.
Four graduates are applying for engineering/fabrication apprenticeships
One graduate has applied for the Te Pūkenga Electrical course.
Meanwhile, graduates are working or applying for jobs in the following fields: cars, trucks, motorbikes, fabrication, planes, forklifts, and electrical.
Level 2 students:
One student is currently doing a motorcycle mechanic apprenticeship.
One student has been offered an apprenticeship but must complete their level 3 Auto Engineering programme in 2024 first.
One student is working in the industry in forklift maintenance.
Five students moving onto a New Zealand Certificate in Auto Engineering at Te Pūkenga.
