Training for Good - December 2024: Meri Kirihimete

Kia ora

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to thank you for your dedication to your training programme throughout the year. We hope you have the chance to relax, recharge, and reconnect with loved ones over the holiday season. We also recognise that for many of you, as essential workers, you will continue working through the Christmas and New Year period. We acknowledge and appreciate all that you do across this period, and indeed throughout the year, as I am sure the families and friends of those whom you support do also.

Below, you'll find a few reflection points for the year and some things to consider for 2025, along with a recipe for a quick festive treat. Plus, there's an opportunity to win a grocery voucher and a pack of Careerforce playing cards.

The Careerforce offices will be closed over the holiday period from midday on Tuesday 24 December until Monday 6 January 2025.

Meri Kirihimete and we’ll be back in touch in 2025!

As the year comes to a close, it's a great time to reflect on the past twelve months. Take a moment to acknowledge your achievements in your programme. If you're looking to make progress on your training over the holidays, here are some ideas to help you stay on track.

Review how you’re doing
At the start of your learning journey, you would have been given a training plan. Do you know how you're tracking? It’s a good time to see where you’re at. Remember you can track your own training progress at any time.

For paper-based learners, simply login to iportal where you'll be able to view and download your own training progress reports.
For online learners (Aka Toi users), you'll be able to see which unit standards you have completed, and which are yet to be done.

Continue with your learning
You can still continue learning over the holiday break. You can access the Careerforce Resource Library via iportal, or if you're using our online learning platform Aka Toi, this is also available.

If you are a first time user of iportal, simply go to the iportal home page https://iportal.careerforce.org.nz/ and click on ‘Register a new account’ where there is a helpful guide with extra instructions if needed. It outlines how you can view your record of achievement, trainee progress report, and more.

Need support with your training?
One way to keep motivated is to check out the many supports available on the Careerforce website:

The training support section gives advice for new learners to help get you started, and for those already on your learning journey, to help you stay engaged and motivated.
The Learning to Learn resources have been developed to support you in your learning and study.

Plan for the year ahead
One of the benefits of on-the-job training is that you can progress at your own pace. You know what you can achieve within your own schedule. Develop a plan for 2025 and set some targets that you want to accomplish.

Seven years later, Claudia found herself working for Blue Light as a Youth Work Mentor herself, where she gained her New Zealand Apprenticeship in Youth Work.

Since completing her qualification, Claudia has moved into a Section Commander role within the Youth Development Unit (North) in the New Zealand Defence Force. In this role, she facilitates lessons and mentors the 18-24 year olds, coordinating a mixture of activities to get them out of their comfort zone and helping them to gain life skills.

Claudia is now investigating further study options and says, “I would definitely recommend Careerforce work based training programmes. They provide such a great foundation if you are starting a Youth Work job and you need a bit of knowledge behind you”.

Academic Misconduct quiz answers
In last month's quiz we asked you what academic misconduct means at Careerforce. Answers are as follows:

1. Can AI be used by learners when completing assessments? NO
2. Are learners being marked on their English Language Skills? NO
3. Has Careerforce terminated training agreements of people found to have engaged in academic misconduct? YES

Refer to our website for more information about academic misconduct. More information is available here.

Winners were: Darryl M, Cherry A, Georgia Mc

Have you considered what you'd like to do when you finish your current programme? Are you keen to broaden your knowledge via further work-based learning programmes? It's never too early to think about what you study next.

For those of you coming to the end of your Level 3 programme, this is a good time to consider if a Level 4 Apprenticeship is the next step for you.

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 wish to consider

The Apprenticeship in Whānau, Community and Social Services
The Apprenticeship in Disability Support
The Apprenticeship in Peer Support
The Apprenticeship in Mental Health and Addiction Support

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 full list of 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.