The first of eight trades academies to commence this year as part of the government’s Youth Guarantees scheme opened yesterday in Christchurch.

Canterbury Tertiary College Trades Academy, which is offering vocational trades and technology training to up to 144 students, is a partnership between 14 local secondary schools, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) and employers. It will let 16 and 17-year-olds earn NCEA credits and a tertiary qualification, free of charge, while gaining practical skills.

“It provides students with vocational pathways, allowing them to share their time between school and CPIT, and offers trades training in carpentry, mechanical engineering, the motor industry and electrical engineering,” said Minister of Education, Anne Tolley.

Since the February earthquake, further programmes in masonry trades, plaster boarding, and painting and decorating have been added to help meet the expected trades demands in Canterbury.

Mrs Tolley says the government is investing $66.5 million over four years to ensure 4000 places will be available in trades academies by 2014.