What is Vocational Pathways?

Vocational Pathways is a tool that helps you to see how your strengths, interests and achievements relate to future study options and job opportunities.

The pathways provide clear study options that are valued by employers and show you what employers expect you to achieve in your learning.

The pathways cover six industry sectors:

• Manufacturing and technology
• Construction and infrastructure
• Creative industries
• Primary industries
• Social and community services
• Services industries.

Vocational Pathways provides more options for learners to complete NCEA Level 2. By having more ways and places to achieve NCEA Level 2 you’ll have more pathways into further learning and work.

When you complete a Vocational Pathway you’ll receive a Vocational Pathways Award as well as receiving NCEA Level 2.

Achieving a Vocational Pathways Award shows employers you have the knowledge and skills they’re looking for.

All of the Vocational Pathways identify skills that are valued by employers across all sectors. Because English and maths skills are especially important across all pathways, literacy and numeracy credits can apply to any pathway. As long as you achieve the required literacy and numeracy credits, you may be able to change pathways or complete more than one while you’re studying.

To earn a Vocational Pathway Award you need to achieve:

• NCEA Level 2, including all the NCEA Level 1 literacy and numeracy requirements
• 60 recommended assessment standards (including 20 sector-related standards from the same sector pathway).
• Youth Guarantee website - find out about the standards for each pathway

• What is NCEA?
• NZQA website - find out more about NCEA
• Youth Guarantee website - use the Profile Builder to find job and study options for NCEA results