Secondary school students wanting experience in the automotive industry can now achieve micro-credentials.
MITO’s secondary school programme for the automotive industry, called StartUp, has been approved as three micro-credentials by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
In August, the NZQA launched a micro-credential system as part of New Zealand’s regulated education and training system. These are smaller than qualifications and focus on a specific set of skills and knowledge.
They are the first micro-credentials specifically for secondary school students.
StartUp offers students in year 11, 12 and 13 a mix of eLearning theory and practical experience in an automotive workshop, with the credits earned leading into an apprenticeship.
“We’re thrilled that StartUp has been registered as three micro-credentials by NZQA,” MITO chief executive Janet Lane says.
“There are significant benefits for the students as their NZQA Record of Learning will capture their micro-credential achievements.
“Since StartUp launched in 2007, 2500 secondary school students have participated in the programme with nearly 25% progressing to an apprenticeship,” Lane says.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to gain first-hand knowledge of the industry, and for employers to offer work experience, ideally securing their next MITO apprentice. By providing a pipeline from school to industry, StartUp is helping address skills shortages in the automotive engineering and collision repair industries.”
The three micro-credentials are StartUp Ignition – Automotive Micro-credential (Level 2, 20 credits), StartUp Accelerate – Automotive Engineering Micro-credential (Level 3, 21 credits), StartUp Accelerate – Collision Repair and Refinishing Micro-credential (Level 3, 21 credits).
