Trades Academy
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.
2022 MID-YEAR PROGRAMME OPTIONS
There are still places available on our mid-year programmes for 2022. These places are fully funded (zero cost to students) and offering an amazing chance to get outdoors, learn some new skills and earn NCEA credits at the same time.
If you are interested in enrolling, please talk to your Trades Coordinator or Dean at school.

Adventure Tourism Leadership
Adventure Tourism Leadership (L2) -
Starts 1st August
Adventure Tourism Leadership (L3) -
Starts 4 July

Emergency Response
Uniformed Services (L2) -
Starts 4 July
Civil Defence Emergency Response (L3) -
Starts 4 July
2023 PROGRAMME OPTIONS

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:

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:

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:

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