Primary Industries Trades Academy (PITA)
Taratahi is delivering one of the
first nine Trades Academies, given the green light to open in 2011 by
the Ministry of Education.
PITA helps
young people to experience and consider many of the primary industries
employment opportunities available. Enrolment with PITA is designed to suit
individual students. Attendance is structured to minimise disruption to normal
secondary school activities and to maximise tertiary and work placement
opportunities.
The PITA
programme runs during terms one-three, leaving term four for students to focus
on exams. PITA can be tailored to suit the school and the student which may
mean more or less residential blocks or work placement days. How schools choose
to be involved in PITA will determine how long it will take students to complete
assessments and be awarded qualifications. PITA aims to achieve closer alignment
between schools, the tertiary sector and industry. Students enrolled in PITA
will be staircased through National Qualifications including the National
Certificate in Agriculture—Level 2 (Strands in Sheep and
Dairy).
PITA Programme Structure:
- Practical Residential Block Courses
PITA students
will attend residential block courses throughout the year. Two block courses (5
days in duration each) are advised to ensure a good fit with the school
timetable and the student’s workload. During these block courses students will
have the opportunity to experience living on farm and will cover a range of
practical units and assessment, which will focus on developing hands-on skills.
Students must show competency in all relevant areas before they are assessed as
competent. A strong focus on practical skills at this level is essential so PITA
can ensure that the utmost safety and quality standards are taught and applied
throughout the students’ programme.
- Work Experience Placements
Work
experience placements are designed to give students the opportunity to put into
practice the skills which they have learnt at Taratahi. PITA students will
complete up to 17 days of work experience per year, over terms one-three. All
work placement farmers are familiar with the unit standards which students cover
within the National Certificates and will focus student’s work experience around
this. Work experience providers are all assessed for their suitability prior to
students being placed.
- Mentoring
Each PITA
student will be assigned a mentor with a few years industry experience in the
same field of interest. Mentors help to connect the PITA student to the industry
and can be a great sounding board and buddy throughout a PITA student’s
tenure.
- Tutor
Days
Throughout the
PITA programme students attend a series of tutor days, where they spend time in
a group environment with a Taratahi tutor, covering both practical and theory
skills. Students are grouped into clusters depending on their location and will
attend up to ten tutor days over terms one-three inclusive. Depending on the
student’s location, they will have the option of attending a Tutor Day at
Taratahi’s Wairarapa campus, or Taratahi will arrange to have a tutor visit the
cluster in their region. Tutor Days will include: practical work on a local farm
based around the unit standards, theory based work, or industry focused visits.
- Industry Specific Careers Advice
Each PITA student will have every opportunity to explore what a career in the primary industries may look like for them. In agriculture there are many options available; i.e. hands on, business or science based roles. These sessions focus on educating students about their options and are run in conjunction with Career Services. PITA students will also experience a variety of industries, which will be arranged by the Ag in Schools team. There is also a focus in these sessions on developing CV’s and interview skills, designed to assist PITA students with the eventual transition into the workforce
.
To download the latest brochure please click here
To download the 2012 application form please click here
For more information please contact Taratahi
Page last updated on: 27-03-2012
