Gateway

The Gateway Programme

Gateway provides students with the opportunity to ‘test drive’ their career choices while gaining valuable experience and learning in the workplace.

Gateway background and purpose 

Gateway is designed to provide a structured workplace learning experience in line with students' interests and potential career pathways.  Students are supported to make connections with local employers and businesses to secure work experience placements. These work placements help to develop a clearer understanding of the knowledge, skills and personal attributes required for future employment within their chosen industry.

Gateway is in addition to timetabled classes. Students generally attend their work placements for one day per week for 5-10 weeks (with some exceptions, ie, school holidays, after school, weekend placements). School attendance will continue as normal. Placements will usually commence in Term 1 or 2 with the view to being completed by the end of Term 3.

Students are supported by a Gateway Coordinator who works one on one with students to help identify career and training needs and ensure that they gain the maximum benefit from the programme. Training options should relate to their chosen vocation or help boost their employability skills.  These are all unit standards and may include First Aid, Health & Safety,Leadership, Employability Skills or individualised Industry based unit standard packages.

Gateway is for students who:

• Are work ready.
• Have a good attendance and pastoral record,
• Can keep up to date with academic studies while on placement.
• Have a desire to explore a particular career pathway.
• Are ready to enter the working world but want some ‘hands on’ experience first
• Have parental support and approval.