Training for Good - March 2024: Digital prize pack, mystery break, Manaaki fund, study sessions and more

Hard to believe we’re well into March already, but here we are. Have you had a chance to think about your study plan for the year? How much time can you devote to your studies each week? What time of day is best for you? How can you carve out time for yourself to study? These are important questions because we know life is busy and if you don’t make time for your studies, your time soon gets filled up with other things that come along.

We encourage you to make a study plan for yourself if you haven’t already. Regular study sessions will keep you progressing, engaged, and on your way to achieving the completion of your programme. Your success is our goal!

Do you know who your assessor is and how to get started? If not, give us a call on 0800 277 486 or email us at info@careerforce.org.nz We have a team of people here to support you, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Are you stuck on a question or topic? Contact your assessor or manager and ask for support. They also want to see you succeed.

Have you heard that we are holding Achieve Study Hubs around the country? Learners at any level can come to ask questions, talk to an assessor, meet other learners, get study tips, and have a place to study. Come along if you can! See the article in this newsletter about Achieve Study Hubs. You can find more information, dates and venues, and can register to attend here.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started / keep going strong – your goal is within your reach!

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that uses natural language processing to learn from internet data to provide users with written responses to prompts or questions.

We've seen instances of Careerforce learners using ChatGPT for their assessments, but use of AI in relation to an assessment is NOT acceptable.

Use of AI which does not directly relate to an assessment can be ok, but assessment answers must be written in your own words and using your own examples. By giving your own examples from your workplace in your answers, you demonstrate that you understand how to complete a task. Talking about your on job experiences in assessments is the best reflection of your competence.

AI can provide the knowledge, but you must provide your understanding.

If you have any queries about ChatGPT, talk to your Assessor, or Manager.

Father of three and apprentice graduate, Te Mingi Elliott says, "I always wanted to give people the best chance in life."

Te Mingi has just completed his Apprenticeship in Mental Health and Addiction Support. He says his success comes from a combination of Careerforce study sessions and noho marae, as well as support from his apprenticeship advisors Naida King and Alyssia Paekau.

Te Mingi works as a Tu Awhina (support worker) in Hamilton, and is supporting whānau or whai ora on their journey of recovery.

Photo caption: Mental Health and Addictions Graduate Te Mingi Elliott with Careerforce Apprenticeship Advisors: Alyssia Paekau (left) and Naida King (right).

An unlikely introduction at a Zumba class is how Dana Field landed her dream job in aged care.

“You’ll hear me before you see me,” claims the busy mum of four, who works at Pahiatua’s Waireka Lifecare, a rest home for up to 60 residents in the Tararua district.

Dana was quickly enrolled in the NZ Apprenticeship in Diversional Therapy through Careerforce | Te Pūkenga, which she successfully completed.

Waireka Lifecare manager, Carol Hauraki, says Dana’s Careerforce Apprenticeship Advisor, Anne Meyer, has also been instrumental in Dana’s success.

Photo caption: Waireka manager Carol Hauraki (left) with Dana and Careerforce Apprenticeship Advisor Anne Meyer.

Read what other learners say about our study sessions:

“I gained a lot of knowledge that I did not have before attending, and I feel more confident in doing my assessments.”

“The connection to other learners, and the brilliant support from the instructors.”

“Having one on one assistance and meeting up with others in our course with the ability to chat about our progress.”

“Being able to instantly ask for help with something I did not quite understand. Being able to get input to see if I was on the right track before putting time and effort into answering questions. Chatting briefly to other learners and see that we are all facing the same challenges.”

“Being able to ask for assistance and get an immediate response.”

“The support from the Careerforce staff was amazing.”

“Comfortable environment close to town.”

As a learner with Te Pūkenga, tell us your answer by 28 March 2024 and be in to WIN a $3k Digital Prize Pack or a Luxury Mystery Break for two*

We're excited to announce a competition for learners, running until 28 March 2024, designed to inspire you to explore and use our Te Pae Ora wellbeing hub and to promote mental health and wellbeing practices.

We're asking learners a simple question: "What's one thing you do for your wellbeing?" We're seeking concise, meaningful answers that promote wellbeing among yourself and your peers. Te Pūkenga will randomly select three winners, who'll each receive one of the following prizes: a $3k Digital Prize Pack or a Luxury Mystery Break for two*

More information about the competition and to enter is available here.

*Terms and conditions apply

Your wellbeing is important to us.

We’re pleased to very shortly launch the Careerforce Manaaki Fund designed to provide temporary financial assistance to learners facing unexpected hardship that is impacting upon their studies.

Round 1 applications open 25 March – 7 April 2024
Applications notified by 20 April 2024

Round 2* applications open 1 May - 15 May 2024
Applications notified by 31 May 2024

*Round 2 subject to funds availability. Dates are subject to change.

Successful applicants will receive a one-off payment of $400 to help with alleviating financial barriers. To apply for the funding, you need to complete the application form here.

To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a Careerforce programme and meet all the relevant criteria. For more information, please refer to our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).

You will be notified of the outcome of your application within two weeks of the fund closing date. Recipients of the Manaaki fund will be asked to provide feedback to Careerforce to enable us to measure the impact of this funding.

Please note that online applications only are accepted. If you require any assistance to complete the application, we are happy to help and please contact us at Manaaki.Fund@careerforce.org.nz or on 0800 277 486 (and ask for the Manaaki Fund Team).

Following the extension of the Last Date of Assessment (LDA) for the Health and Wellbeing Level 3 version 1 qualification, Careerforce will be accepting assessments from learners up until 31 May 2024 for the following programmes:

Health Assistance (version 1)
Support Work (version 1)
Orderly Services (version 1)
Newborn Hearing Screening (version 1)
Dental Assistance (version 1)
Vision Hearing Screening (versions 1 & 2).

After 31 May 2024, any learners who have not completed all of the required unit standards for their qualification will be transferred to the version 2 programmes starting July.

If you have any queries about the closure of version 1 programmes, or transferring to version 2 programmes, please contact your assessor and/or your employer. Your Careerforce Workplace Advisor will also be able to provide guidance.

The standard expectation is that your assessment is marked within 10 days. If you have not heard from your assessor within 15 days of submitting an assessment, a form on iportal lets you follow up on an assessment.

From iportal, simply complete the 'Overdue Assessment' form and Careerforce will follow up with your assessor.

Careerforce is fully aware of the workplace pressures our assessors are under, and the work that our extensive network of assessors do is hugely appreciated. This form simply allows us to become aware of instances where additional support may be needed in a workplace, or even situations where a workplace assessor may have left a workplace.

Our ten apprenticeship programmes are very well supported. You'll be assigned an Apprenticeship Advisor, to work alongside you and provide one-on-one pastoral care, coaching and other support to help you achieve your qualification.
Apprenticeships are offered online so you can access your modules anytime/ anywhere.
Your work experiences will help you with your assessments.
All modules can be used with the Adobe Reader and an Accessibility menu to enhance and customise your experience.

Interested? Talk to your manager about what you'd like to do next or get in touch with us for more information.

Keep up-to-date, and read more inspirational stories about your fellow Careerforce trainees, follow or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/careerforceNZ/

If you’re having some challenges with your training, ask your assessor or employer for some advice. If you think Careerforce can help, do get in touch with us.
Careerforce.org.nz/contact-us/

Has anything changed? It's important that we hold up to date contact information in order for us to connect and provide updates on your training progress. If you have recently changed home address, contact number or email address, then please let us know by sending an email to info@careerforce.org.nz

Are you leaving your employment or wish to withdraw from your training? Please let us know by completing the “Training Agreement Termination” online submission form which can be found on the Careerforce website here

Tip: We suggest you check that all completed work has been assessed and reported by your assessor before requesting your training to be withdrawn. You can do this through iportal if you are a registered user or contact us on 0800 277 486.