National Certificate in Employment Skills

The National Certificate in Employment Skills (NCES) recognises core skills and attributes necessary for successful employment and further learning. NCES is awarded to learners who have demonstrated competence in literacy and numeracy, and other personal and technical skills. These skills have been identified by employers as being important to ensure a learner is equipped to operate and be productive in the workplace.

Learners will continue to develop and grow as valued employees and demonstrate skills that contribute to lifelong learning.

This qualification is designed to be accessible so that learners are able to demonstrate competencies which will enable them to pathway onto skilled work and/or higher learning.

This qualification is intended to act as a springboard from which people may progress towards other higher level qualifications.

For the purposes of meeting the literacy and numeracy requirements, this qualification accepts credits from both unit standards and Level 1 recognised achievement standards. The literacy and numeracy requirements for this qualification can contribute to the literacy and numeracy requirements for NCEA Level 1.

Everyone has heard of the YMCA but not many know all the things we do. Perhaps it is because we do so much! What we do know is that most people are really surprised when they learn the extent of the work done by the Y in New Zealand.

The first thing we at the YMCA would like everyone to understand is that we are first and foremost a national community organisation. We work for every New Zealander and we want to engage with every New Zealander in a way that is positive. Sure, at heart we are youth centred but we work with people of all ages. It’s summed up in our by-line:

We Build Strong Kids, Strong Families, Strong Communities.

It's not just a slogan – we really believe that by helping children and young people to thrive, they will make great adults and parents. By working together with families, we strengthen that most important relationship of all – family/whanau.

Building on that, we believe that connected communities are strong communities and strong communities make a great New Zealand society.