New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3)
Course details
| NZQF Level | 3 |
|---|
About the course
Take the first step toward the future you've dreamed of - one skill at a time, we’re here to help you get there.
Click on the image to read about Kharissa and Tiana's experience with a NMIT Study and Career Prep Programme.
If school didn’t quite fit, or you’re still figuring out your next step, this programme gives you a fresh start in a supportive environment. You’ll learn through real-life experiences — not just classroom theory — so you can grow your confidence, build skills that employers value, and prepare for further study or entry-level work.
This programme is ideal for individuals who want hands-on learning, require additional support to develop study habits, or are seeking a practical pathway into trades, service industries, or other vocational areas.
Join us and experience a learning style that feels more real, more applied, and more connected to the workplace.
A supportive environment
You’ll learn in small groups, with tutors who understand that everyone comes in with different experiences and backgrounds. Whether you need help building confidence, strengthening your communication skills, or figuring out what you want to do next, we’ll support you at every step.
Learning focus and skill development
Your tutors will support you to understand your strengths and set goals that feel achievable and meaningful. You’ll work on a mix of practical activities, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and self-management.
This may include developing skills such as:
- Managing your study and work effectively within a team environment
- Using specialised information to help solve practical, field-specific problems
- Communicating ideas and solutions across different formats and settings
- Developing personalised career and study plans that reflect your strengths and goals
NEW COURSE | Essential Trade Skills
A practical, one-day-a-week course designed to support your confidence while helping you develop transferable skills relevant to a range of trades and customer-focused workplaces.
Examples of skills you might develop include:
- Becoming familiar with barista equipment, grinders, and basic café tools
- Practising customer service skills, including using tills and order systems
- Learning safe work practices such as hygiene, PPE use, posture, manual handling, and hot-liquid safety
- Exploring tools and safety practices used across different trades, including carpentry, hairdressing, and engineering
- Developing communication skills, teamwork, and strategies for handling challenging situations
- Understanding professional behaviours valued by employers, such as reliability, punctuality, and honesty
- Applying skills through simulated café service and group-based activities
- Gaining experience with workforce preparation, including interview practice, CV development, and cover letter writing
Your pathway forward
This programme is designed to help you move into:
- Level 4 study in trades, service industries, business, computing and more
- Entry-level employment where good communication, customer service and practical skills are valued
- Apprenticeships or vocational training
If you’re ready for a new start, one that’s hands-on, confidence-building and connected to real workplace skills, this programme is a great place to begin.
About the provider
At NMIT, our goal is to ensure you graduate work-ready and confident in your knowledge and skills to step into a successful career. Our wrap-around support services guide you through the process of learning, teaching you skills for life and ensuring your well-being is supported so you can focus on achieving your goals.
NMIT strives to make meaningful and positive change to the businesses and members in our community. For nearly 120 years, we have stood strong as a cornerstone for high-quality tertiary education and community engagement Te Tauihu (the Top of the South).
This means when you join NMIT, you become connected to a network of industry partners and employment opportunities that can open doors for you. Our passionate tutors across multiple study areas are highly regarded and influential in their chosen fields.
Whatever path you wish to pursue, we'll do what we can to help you reach your goal. Our internationally recognised qualifications are yours for the taking, and the journey to get them can be a rewarding and uplifting experience.