Youth Guarantee Scheme

The aim of the Youth Guarantee Scheme is to improve the educational achievements of students aged 16 to 17 years of age, who are not currently engaged in education – and to improve the transition between school, tertiary education and work. 

The Scheme will provide successful candidates with improved access to study, allowing them to study towards qualifications that are at Levels 1 to 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in tertiary education.

The Youth Guarantee Scheme is open to all students:

Aged 16 and 17 years, who have achieved NCEA Level 1 or less and for whom a vocational pathway would be a preferred choice.

We welcome applications from anyone who is not eligible for the Scheme, however full programme fees will apply. For more information, please contact Customer Services.

Youth Guarantee Providers:

Will need to apply the following criteria to determine student eligibility:

• Students must be 16 or 17 years of age at the time of study commencement and not turn 18 years of age within three months of starting study under the Youth Guarantee Scheme.

Full-Year:

Students must enrol in a minimum of a full year’s worth of study (the equivalent of 0.8 EFTS).

• Students must not be enrolled in school and a Youth Guarantee Scheme programme simultaneously.
• Students may move from a Training Opportunities, Youth Training or Industry Training programme into the Youth Guarantee Scheme although this is not expected to be a common path.
•  Students enrolled in Youth Guarantee Scheme are not eligible for Student Loans administered by StudyLink.

The Youth Guarantee Scheme allows students to undertake study that includes the following programme elements:

• Vocationally focused programmes with a mixture of practical, specific and generic skills
• Face-to-face delivery
• Embedded literacy and numeracy
• Leading to qualifications at Levels 2 to 3
• Provide clear pathways to higher levels of learning
• Student Achievement Component (SAC) courses.

The following programmes are accepting applications for 2012:

Certificate in Foundation Studies (Trades) (Levels 2 and 3)

This programme is for students who are not sure what vocational area they would like to study and who want a measure of practical learning alongside the literacy and learning needs they may have. By engaging in study in a range of subject areas (which includes a cross section of Otago Polytechnic programmes) these students can sample a range of options and explore the skills and aptitude needed. These may include construction, cookery and horticulture, computing and mathematics, which are core to many fields. There will also be an opportunity to gain some work experience.

Certificate in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering (Level 2)

This programme is for students who want to learn automotive and mechanical skills. It involves project based and experiential learning. Students design and make master class grass karts through the year to race in the Grass Kart Challenge in September. There will also be an opportunity to gain some work experience. Successful completion of the programme is excellent preparation for the Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3).

Fees and Allowances:

The Youth Guarantee Scheme will cover the tuition fees, material and equipments costs of your programme of study for one year only.
It is important to note that students enrolled under the Youth Guarantees Scheme will not be eligible for student loans and in some cases, student allowances. Funding for travel is available, conditions apply.

Student Services:

Each student in the Youth Guarantee Scheme will complete an individual learning plan, and will also receive career planning advice and support.