Training for Good - May 2025: Youth Week, supporting you to succeed and more

This year's Youth Week runs from 19 - 25 May. The theme is Whai Wāhitanga – Take our Place. This is all about belonging to spaces and communities, encouraging young people to speak up and own who they are, reaching for your dreams and standing proudly where you are now. Find out how you can take part in Youth Week e.g. by hosting or attending a youth led event, volunteering for a cause, or celebrating culture and identity.

Each year, Careerforce supports many learners to complete youth work specific training programmes from a Level 3 certificate through to a Level 5 diploma. We'd like to take this opportunity to recognise these learners, who may include youth workers, youth service providers and others working with and for young people.

More about Careerforce Youth Work programmes >

From volunteer housekeeper/laundry to qualified healthcare worker, Fernanda (Nanda) Alvares E Silva proves that dedication and upskilling can open doors to new opportunities.

Nanda arrived in New Zealand 10 years ago from Brazil with minimal English. Her Level 2 Certificate in Cleaning was followed by a Level 2 Certificate in Health and Wellbeing, shortly followed by a Level 3 Certificate in Health Assistance. Today, Nanda proudly celebrates graduating with her Level 4 Advanced Care and Support Apprenticeship.

Supported by her employer, Rangiora’s Bainswood on Victoria, and Careerforce, the health care assistant has not only advanced in her career but also mastered fluency in English.

Dr Mudassar Altaf leads a mycobacteriology team of seven within the wider microbiology department at New Zealand’s national reference lab in Auckland. The team specialises in diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) infections that subsequently contributes to treatment of the disease.

Keen to grow as a leader, the doctor enrolled in the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) Leadership and Management, through Careerforce.

Though highly qualified with many years of technical experience, Mudassar was motivated to improve his leadership skills and soft skills.

“I really want to be seen as a leader who works with people who motivates people, but who also sees their strengths,” says Mudassar.

For those of you who have only recently enrolled, we strongly encourage you to register for a ‘Good To Go’ online induction session. These one-hour sessions are designed to kickstart your learning journey.

You’ll get an introduction to Careerforce, learn about work-based learning, and how to get started. We’ll walk you through our online learning platform, Aka Toi, the iportal registration, and all the support available to you, from progress reports to wellbeing resources. You’ll also cover key roles like observers and assessors, assessment expectations, policies on academic misconduct and AI use, and the importance of staying on track. Plus, we’ll highlight networking opportunities and ongoing support.

These sessions are for Level 2 & 3 learners, and Level 4 Dementia Care (LCP) and Advanced Care and Support learners. If you have recently enrolled, check your inbox for an invitation to the next round of sessions on 28 May or visit: www.careerforce.org.nz/good-to-go

Are you a Māori learner? - Our Rōpū Taupuhipuhi Āmio / National Mobile Support team provides options for kanohi-ki-te-kanohi (face-to-face) kaupapa Māori approach support through wānanga mahi and noho marae. Check out the current 2025 schedule on our website.

Are you a Pacific learner? - Our Pacific team understands Pacific learners' needs and are here to help them. The team runs Talanoa (study support sessions), and face-to-face and online Fono (workshops). Check out the current 2025 schedule of Talanoa.

The Careerforce Manaaki Fund provides temporary financial assistance to learners facing unexpected hardship that is impacting upon their studies.

The fund can be used for a number of things including necessary medical, dental or optical costs. Check out the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) to see examples of what the fund can be used for.

Final Round 13 - Applications open:
2 June- 15 June 2025
Applicants notified: 30 June 2025

Successful applicants will receive a one off payment of $400 to help with alleviating financial barriers.

Are you struggling with your learning due to physical or mental health concerns or stress?

We’re committed to promoting a healthy learning environment where Careerforce enrolled learners can talk to someone confidentially about their wellbeing when they need to.

Talk to your assessor OR complete the referral form to connect with a Careerforce Wellbeing Advisor.

Support is available via phone, text, email, Teams, or in-person (location dependent).

Take the first step - Visit our website and complete the online form:

We know that difficulties with learning can be a barrier to success. But, when we provide support to learners with literacy or numeracy learning needs, we see higher levels of achievement. The following information may be helpful to know if you receive a notification to complete a Literacy and Numeracy assessment.

Careerforce learners with no previous experience of tertiary-level courses at Level 3 and above, are required to undertake a short literacy and numeracy assessment, as part of their enrolment. This applies to all-level courses. The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) requires that enrolment in workplace training includes identifying trainees who may need additional support on their learning journey.

Learners who:

do not have a tertiary NZQA qualification at Level 3 or above, or
do not have a university qualification, or
do have an overseas tertiary qualification but delivered in a language other than English,

will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment.

For learners who score at lower levels, there are adult literacy and numeracy organisations across New Zealand, funded by TEC, who offer support to employers and their staff. There is a free online adult learning programme to build adult literacy and numeracy skills provided by Pathways Awarua. If you'd like to know more, contact your assessor or Careerforce for more information.

We encourage you to read the Careerforce Code of Conduct to learn more about expectations of behaviour, breaches of the code and your rights as a learner.

This kawa tatūnga (code of conduct) is informed by te ao Māori and acknowledges the importance of respectful, reciprocal relationships in training. It reflects Careerforce’s values of manaakitanga (honouring ourselves and others), kotahitanga (connecting people), and kaitiakitanga (upholding responsibilities) to foster a positive learning environment for akonga (learners) of Careerforce.

Download the Code of Conduct >

1. On the Kawa tatūnga | Code of Conduct document, what's the first 'Expectation of Behaviour'?
2. Name one of the apprenticeships with 50% off enrolment fees in June and July.
3. What are the online onboarding sessions for new learners called?
4. What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their Careerforce programme?

Simply follow the link below and answer the four questions by 30 May 2025 to go into the draw to win 1 of 3 $50 grocery vouchers.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T4GMay2025

Did You Know? Contract cheating is when a learner pays someone else to complete their assessments. These services may target learners directly or advertise online and on social media. Unfortunately, we are aware of organisations promoting such services to Careerforce learners.

Under New Zealand law, helping someone cheat is a criminal offence. Individuals offering these services face penalties of up to $10,000 per offence.

Risks to learners include:

Revocation of unit standards of qualifications
Legal consequences
Damage to personal and professional reputation

Remember – Use your own words

All assessment work completed must be your own original work and must be produced without assistance from other people. You must not buy assessment answers, copy from other learner’s work, or copy from other sources.

Assessment answers must be written in your own words and using your own examples. You are not being marked on how well you write or your English language skills. By giving your own examples from your workplace in your own original words, you demonstrate that you understand how to complete a task. Talking about their on-job experiences in assessments is the best way to show your competence.

We encourage you to seek help when needed. Talk to your manager, or your assessor. Careerforce offers many support services and resources to help learners succeed without resorting to unethical means. e.g. See information about Achieve Study Hubs above.

More about Academic Misconduct here >

We're pleased to share Dave Letele's presentation which explores his story - from his personal struggles to becoming a leading advocate for health, resilience, and hope.

David Letele, also known as the Brown Buttabean, is a New Zealand social activist and retired professional boxer and rugby league footballer from Auckland. After retiring, Letele became a motivational speaker.

What to Expect:

Insights into Dave's life challenges and turning points
How his journey connects to mental wellbeing and identity
The impact of lived experience in supporting ākonga (learners) and whānau
Practical tools for building resilience and positive mindset

You may have heard whispers recently about the redesign of vocational education in the media.

As part of the redesign, Minister Simmonds recently announced her final decision for the future of work-based learning organisations such as Careerforce. Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will be established on 1 January 2026, and work-based learning divisions of Te Pūkenga (such as Careerforce) will transition into ISBs (as separate divisions) on 1 January 2026.

Just as we transitioned into Te Pūkenga with no disruption for our employers and learners, we fully expect the same for our transition into an Industry Skills Board.

“So, if you’re a learner or an employer - keep going. Your qualifications are essential, and your training is valuable. There will be no disruption, your training stays on track,” Ms Simmonds says.

For more information, check out the Minister’s media release, or go to the TEC site.

Or, check these out:
Graduates of the Level 3 Health Assistance programme may wish to consider

The Advanced Care and Support Apprenticeship
The Apprenticeship in Diversional Therapy

Graduates of the Level 3 Support Work - Disability programme may also wish to consider

The Apprenticeship in Whānau, Community and Social Services
The Apprenticeship in Peer Support (fully funded for eligible learners to June 2026)

Graduates of the Level 3 in Youth Work may wish to consider

The Apprenticeship in Youth Work

Check out the full list of apprenticeships or for a list of all our programmes, you may wish to download the latest prospectus

Your employer may also be eligible for $500/mth Apprenticeship Boost payments for the first 12 months of the apprenticeship.