About us

The West Coast Trades Academy (WCTA) is a partnership between all of the West Coast high schools and area schools and tertiary institutions. Greymouth High School coordinates the Academy, and Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP), Whenua Iti Outdoors (WIO), Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) and Papa Taiao Earthcare are the Tertiary Partners for WCTA.

Trades academies are part of the Government’s youth initiatives. They focus on providing more choices for young New Zealanders and giving them greater opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and talents through trades and technology programmes that are jointly provided by schools and tertiary education organisations.

Benefits of the Trades Academy

• Start training for a career while studying at school
• No fees
• Keep up school friendships and continue with core subjects and extra-curricular activities while at the Trades Academy
• Gain workplace skills, develop independence and responsibility for your learning, self-esteem and communication skills
• Be ready for work with workplace skills, training, NCEA Level 2 & 3 and a vocational pathways Award.
• Additional expenses such as transport will be covered by the Trades Academy
• Individual learning plans will ensure your achievement is monitored by your school and the Trades Academy
• The Trades Academy’s manager and school co-ordinators are on-hand to support you

Take a look at what students are saying about the Trades Academy

Student Eligibility

The trades academy is open to year 11, 12 and 13 students at partner schools. Students will select the Trades Academy as part of their NCEA study and timetable options at school.

Trades Academy students must make  a two-year (minimum) commitment to the achievement of NCEA Level 2 and an Industry National Certificate. Students will also miss some ordinary school classes and may need to commit extra time to keep up with their learning and achievement in other subject areas.

Schools are responsible for enrolling and recommending students for the trades academy.  Each school will have a coordinator (or contact person) responsible for trades academy students.

How it works

Fees, transport and expenses

There are no fees for the Trades Academy.
Transport costs to bring students to the open day will also be covered.

Student care

While at school students will be under the usual pastoral care provisions in their school’s policies. When attending part of their course at a Tertiary Education Provider, another school or in a workplace, students will need to comply with the code of behaviour and health and safety requirements of the provider delivering that part of the programme.