Trades Primer
Course details
| NZQF Level | 2 |
|---|
About the course
If you’re interested in trades but not ready to choose one pathway, this option gives you a supported way to explore what could fit. You'll learn in practical, workshop-based settings, with hands-on activities across areas such as construction (carpentry, joinery and painting), automotive (auto engineering and autobody), engineering (manufacturing and fabrication) and infrastructure (plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying and electrical).
As well as sampling these areas, you'll build the everyday skills that help with further study and work: communication, teamwork, digital confidence, numeracy, literacy, problem-solving and personal planning. You’ll also look at your strengths, goals and future options so you can make more informed decisions about your vocational pathway.
Key features
- Supported trades exploration - Try different trades pathways before committing to one direction.
- Stronger everyday skills - Build literacy, numeracy and digital skills through practical trades-focused learning.
- Workplace communication skills - Practise communication, teamwork and problem-solving for learning and workplace
- Clear next steps - Explore future training, apprenticeship and employment pathways with guided planning support.
What you'll learn
- Essential skills in a range of trades
- Literacy, numeracy and digital skills
- Practical problem-solving and critical thinking
- Time management, resilience and self-management
- Communication, teamwork and workplace interactions
- Career planning and future pathway exploration
- Goal setting, personal development and building confidence
Entry requirements
Academic Requirements
This programme has open entry.
About the provider
Ara Institute of Canterbury is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading tertiary institutes. Specialising in applied, vocational and professional training, it offers more than 150 courses from foundation to postgraduate level.
Ara caters to a diverse range of learners; from school leavers and career changers to professionals wanting to upskill and individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce.
All Ara students benefit from the Ara Advantage: relevant courses, taught by inspirational mentors in real-life learning environments. Almost every Ara programme includes work-integrated learning. Work placements, apprenticeships, industry-based projects and internships ensure students are work-ready when they graduate.
Across its six campuses, Ara’s dedicated tutors and non-academic staff support students throughout their study journey. A comprehensive range of student services - such as financial assistance, learning support, health and wellbeing services, accommodation, childcare and student events – contributes to the success of every student.
It also has six additional small community hubs which deliver free digital upskilling and personal development courses.