Apprenticeship Journey - March 2024 - Digital prize pack, mystery break, get the most from your advisor and more

As a Careerforce Apprenticeship Advisor, I get the opportunity to walk alongside ākonga (learners) as they complete their programme. This gives me the chance to connect with you in your workplace and to learn a lot about the people you support, the way your workplace delivers their services and the amazing mahi that you do!

When I am visiting you, it is always great when you have all your questions, examples or issues written down. In this way nothing is missed when I am with you. If you know that I am coming to see you about a specific module – do your mahi!

Look through the assessment and complete the learning so that our conversations are looking at how to tie this back to your mahi and the sort of examples I would like to see.

I enjoy getting to know you and the people you support. The more we discuss together – the more I can ‘see’ what you do and the skills that you have. I always like to receive your questions in an email or text. During the day I see multiple people and having something in writing means I am able to respond to you more promptly!

When I send you back your submission, there will be feedback from me in the assessment. Make sure you read this feedback as it can help you with the following tasks in your modules.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to make sure you communicate with your advisor! I would rather have a message asking me to help with a question that is confusing you or a form that is not printing, than for you to feel frustrated or anxious. I am here to help remove obstacles where I can.

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.

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 Careerforce Apprenticeship Advisor.

Do you need some support with your apprenticeship programme? Come to one of our upcoming Achieve Study Hubs. These face-to-face sessions are designed for you to drop in, ask questions, meet with other learners, and to help you with achieving unit standards towards your qualification.

Our Achieve Study Hubs are scheduled for different locations across the country. Apprentices are also welcome to attend sessions outside their area. See the full schedule on our website.

Additional study support options for Māori and Pasifika
If you identify as either Māori or Pasifika, we also have study support resources and face-to-face study options available including wānanga, noho marae and talanoa events.
See our Māori support page.
See our Pasifika support page.

Learners can RSVP by completing the online form on our website.

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

Recently, you will have received an email from Careerforce because we are closing version 1 of our apprenticeship programmes. You may have almost completed your apprenticeship, or still have a wee way to go.

You therefore may have received one of the following emails.

A reminder that 1 April 2024 is the due date for the last assessment to be submitted for marking, if you are on track to completing your apprenticeship and are in version 1 of the programme.
A notification that during February we transferred you to version 2 of the apprenticeship programme.
A notification that remaining active in your apprenticeship programme is important or there may be a risk of being withdrawn.

If you have any questions or concerns, then contact your Careerforce Apprenticeship Adviser.

If you are completing the NZ Apprenticeship in Diversional Therapy, you will be aware that in the later part of 2023, the New Zealand Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapy updated their ‘Standards of Practice’ from seven standards to ten new standards.
In response to those changes, Careerforce has updated this module in your apprenticeship to reflect the latest ten standards.

Apprentices in APP125 It’s about diversional therapy, were recently sent an email (29 February) advising them of their next steps.

If you have any questions, then contact your Careerforce Apprenticeship Adviser.