Trades Programmes

Whenua Iti Outdoors in conjunction with Top of the South (TOTSTA) and West Coast (WCTA) Trades Academies deliver a range of programmes for Year 11 - 13 students.

Programmes are funded by the Ministry of Education, and are zero cost to students from TOTSTA and WCTA partner schools. Each course includes assessments that contribute to students' NCEA. These courses offer much more than academic credit, they are packed with experiential learning opportunities to build confidence, leadership & essential employability skills. Our Trades Academy programmes help set students up on a positive pathway to future employment or further study.

Hear what some of our students have to say about our programmes.

2023 PROGRAMME OPTIONS

kayaking in nelson lakes national park on a secondary programme

Adventure Tourism

The leadership, personal and social development skills that are developed through challenging, outdoor experiences are well recognised. Our Adventure based courses offer opportunities to develop these important skills further and prepare you for a pathway to further study or employment.

Course Options:

Adventure Tourism Leadership (Level 2)

Adventure Tourism Leadership (Level 3)

manaaki tapoi whakatu marae

Manaaki Tāpoi

Manaaki Tāpoi explores and celebrates the importance of Cultural Tourism within NZ and builds a deeper understanding of Te Āo Māori. Travel to significant sites, including maraes, learn mau rākau and build your reo. This is a unique programme option within New Zealand.

Course Options:

Manaaki Tāpoi (Level 2)

Manaaki Tāpoi (Level 3)

secondary trapping conservation group scenery

Conservation Studies

Build an understanding of NZ's biodiversity through field-based, environmental investigations, community projects and exploration. These programmes focus on developing practical skills for environmental investigations and management practices while exploring pathways beyond school.

Course Options:

Environmental Sustainability (Level 3)

emergency

Emergency & Response

Students will focus on search and rescue, emergency services and civil defence training in a variety of locations. These programmes provide students with the opportunity to explore a range of uniformed career pathways and develop essential emergency response skills.

Course Options:

Uniformed Services (Level 2)

Civil Defence Emergency Response (Level 3)

waka journey beach circle up

Tourism

Students will have the opportunity to experience a range of local attractions and activities and connect with local tourism business owners. This is a chance learn about the unique tourism industry of Aotearoa and build key skills required for future employment or study.

Course Options:

Tourism Operations (Level 3)

whenua-iti-qualified-instructors

Qualified Instructors

You're in safe hands. Our friendly & highly professional instructors are all industry qualified for a wide range of activities.

whenauiti-NCEA-accredited

NZQA Qualified and NCEA Aligned

We are NZQA accredited, can offer NCEA Level 1-3 assessments and all programmes align with the NZ Curriculum key competencies.

whenuaiti-safety-accredited

Safety Accredited

We put safety first. We are a registered provider of Adventure Activities with Worksafe NZ, and are Safety audit certified with OutdoorsMark.

Trades Academy Programmes

Uniformed Services (Level 2)

Find out first hand what it’s really like to be a paramedic, a police officer and a firefighter! Course Aim: To provide students with the opportunity to explore career pathways…

> Find out more
Year 12-13 students
Residential block format (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon-Thurs)
  • Trades

Tourism Operations (Level 3)

Students get to really experience tourism through the lens of clients, local tourism business owners and as an employee. You will visit a range of tourism operators, understand the different…

> Find out more
Year 12-13 students
Residential block course (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon-Thurs)
  • Tourism
  • Trades

Service Industry Internship (Level 3)

The Service Industry Internship programme is designed for students who are looking to gain essential employment skills for the transition from school to the world of work. Students whilst working…

> Find out more
Year 12-13 Students
Residential block course (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon-Thurs)
  • Tourism
  • Trades

Manaaki Tāpoi Introduction (Level 2)

Course Aim The Manaaki Tāpoi course celebrates the importance of Cultural (indigenous) Tourism. Learning will focus on key elements of Māori culture and how they are interpreted in cultural tourism…

> Find out more
Year 12-13 Students
Residential block course (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon - Thurs)
  • Cultural
  • Tourism
  • Trades

Manaaki Tāpoi Advanced (Level 3)

The Manaaki Tāpoi Advanced programme will strengthen participant’s understanding both of the uniqueness of Māori culture as well as the interconnectedness of Te Ao Māori.  The course builds on the…

> Find out more
Year 12 - 13 Students
Residential block course (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Monday-Thursday)
  • Cultural
  • Tourism
  • Trades

Environmental Sustainability (Level 3)

If you enjoy being outside, being active and learning in a hands-on, practical way, then come and join our efforts to protect New Zealand’s unique biodiversity! This new programme for…

> Find out more
Year 12-13 Students
Block course format (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon-Thurs)
  • Environment
  • Trades

Civil Defence Emergency Response (Level 3)

Experience simulated emergency exercises and gain essential rope skills & techniques used in emergency outdoors situations. Course Aim To provide participants with the practical skills and knowledge to be able…

> Find out more
Year 13 students
Residential block course (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon-Thurs)
  • Trades
  • Adventure

Adventure Tourism Leadership (L3)

Take your existing outdoors skills to the next level. Build your confidence in outdoor leadership through this challenging and rewarding course. Course Aim Students will build on their existing outdoor…

> Find out more
Year 13 students
Residential block course (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon-Thurs)
  • Adventure
  • Tourism
  • Trades

Adventure Tourism Leadership (L2)

Build on a love of the outdoors by learning technical and practical outdoor skills in a team environment. Course Aim The Adventure Tourism Leadership – Level 2 programme provides students…

> Find out more
Year 12-13 students
Residential block course format (includes overnights)
Four one-week blocks (Mon-Thurs)
  • Adventure
  • Tourism
  • Trades

Our Secondary School Programmes

Read about all the programmes on offer to Secondary Schools including all Trades Academy programmes, Specialty Programmes and Holiday Programmes.

Benefits of Experiential Learning

The Trades Academy programmes focus on learning in a practical, hands-on environment. The true benefits of this style of learning lie beyond the immediate academic results.

Want to find out more about a programme or have a question for us? Talk to one of our friendly team - we're happy to help.