Transition
Te whakawhiti
'Transition' includes Future Foundations, Trades and Gateway.
The Transition department offers a range of courses to prepare students for life after school.
Courses include life-skills (finances, budgeting, drivers’ licence, food for flatting, etc), and preparing students for work (CV's, workplace skills, etc).
Within this department we offer a range of courses that can be studied within school (Future Foundations and Gateway), and outside school (Trades Academy, Gateway placements, Techtorium, etc.). Some of these courses involve placement with Tertiary providers or workplaces for 1-2 days per week.
Tuakau College Transition Teachers
FUTURE FOUNDATIONS
​
Future Foundations is a skills-based programme that supports students in developing essential personal, social, and financial capabilities across Years 11 to 13. The course is designed to build confidence, self-awareness, decision-making, and real-world readiness. Each level focuses on a different aspect of personal growth, laying the foundation for independence, community contribution, and lifelong success. Students will be assessed internally with a range of Unit Standards.
​
Level 1: Foundations of Self
​
Focus: Self-awareness, strengths, communication, emotional wellbeing
-
Develops interpersonal and self-management skills
-
Introduces financial literacy and workplace rights
-
Covers online safety and strategies for managing stress
-
Students produce a CV and explore personal goal-setting​
Level 2: Financial Foundations
​
Focus: Financial literacy, decision-making, personal responsibility
-
Learn to budget, manage debt, and understand tenancy rights
-
Explore personal identity and support systems
-
Strengthens teamwork, online awareness, and legal knowledge
-
Supports students in making informed personal and financial choices​
Level 3: Community & Contribution
​
Focus: Leadership, community engagement, applied financial skills
-
Involves a student-led community benefit project
-
Develops peer support and facilitation skills
-
Deepens financial understanding, including long-term planning and risk
-
Encourages leadership, initiative, and meaningful contribution to community
TRADES ACADEMY
​
Tuakau College is fortunate to be in partnership with MIT Trades Academy, to provide students opportunities to study at MIT Manukau 1-2 days per week. The Trades Academy programme includes courses in Mechanics, Building, Nursing, Scaffolding and many more. Students work with tutors to experience hands-on learning. NCEA credits are offered in the Trades Academy programme.
​
Students in Years 12 and 13 are eligible to study with the Trades Academy. Placement in the Trades Academy programme is at the discretion of the school. More information about the Academy will be provided in early Term 3 each year and students will be asked to register their interest. Please note this is a year-long commitment.​
GATEWAY
​
Gateway is a hands-on, work-focused programme designed to give students real-world experience in a vocational area of their interest. Students will explore career pathways, gain valuable industry insights, and develop employability skills through structured work placements. Ideal for students considering a trade or vocational career, Gateway offers the opportunity to connect classroom learning with practical workplace experience in fields such as Building and Construction, Hairdressing, Electrical, Mechanical, Engineering, Early Childhood Education, Hospitality, and many more.
​
Key Features:
-
Includes a minimum of 20–40 hours of work experience
-
Students must identify an area of vocational interest
-
Opportunity to gain relevant industry-based unit standards
-
Develops workplace readiness, communication, and teamwork skills
-
Supports career planning and transitions beyond school
​
Entry Requirements: To secure a place in Gateway, students must complete an Expression of Interest form and
attend an interview with the Careers team, placement in the Gateway programme is at the discretion of the school. A high level of personal accountability, maturity, commitment and work ethic is essential, as students will spend time off-site representing the school and would be expected to catch up on any missed classwork in their own time. Please note that while we try our best to place students in locally based businesses, this cannot always be guaranteed.
​
Ideal For: Motivated, reliable students who are ready to explore real-world pathways and take initiative in a professional setting, students who ready to move into vocational pathways.