Apprenticeship Journey - September 2024 - Careerforce turns 30, support for financial hardship, academic integrity and more

On Thursday 19 September, we celebrate our 30th anniversary. That’s 30 years proudly supporting the training and upskilling of tens of thousands of trainees and apprentices in the health and wellbeing sectors.

As we mark three incredible decades, we want to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has been part of this journey.

To you our apprentices, your dedication and passion have been the heart of our mission. Watching you grow and succeed has been our greatest reward. Here’s to the countless achievements, the milestones reached, and the future that awaits. Thank you for being with us along the way!

Next week is Maori Language Week (16 - 23 September 2024), and to celebrate the event, we're giving away two copies of this book 'A Māori phrase a day'. It's the perfect way to kickstart your te reo journey! It's a modern, user-friendly phrasebook described as a fun and easy entry into the Māori language. Through its 365 phrases, you will learn the following: everyday uses, English translations, factoids, handy word lists. It also presents the most common, relevant and useful phrases today.

Are you going through a tough time and need support?

We’d like to help! We’re committed to promoting a healthy learning environment where Careerforce enrolled learners can talk to someone confidentially about their mental health when they need to.

Careerforce is extending support to those enrolled in a Careerforce programme* through a short-term pilot programme. Our Mental Health Advisors are available to provide assistance to individuals on their learning journey.

Our objective is to foster a positive and supportive learning environment where Careerforce programme participants feel comfortable seeking confidential support for their mental health and wellbeing. Support is available via phone, text, email, Microsoft Teams, or in-person depending on location.

To take the first step. Visit our webpage and complete the referral form.

This pilot is generously funded by Te Whatu Ora until 20 December 2024
*This pilot excludes Gateway learners

Each year, Careerforce supports many learners across the mental health and addiction support sector to complete their training programmes. Programmes range from micro-credentials, short course programmes, Level 3 certificates and Level 4 apprenticeships through to Level 5 diplomas.

You may be support workers, peer support workers or others working with and for people with mental health and addiction issues. We'd like to take this opportunity to recognise all of you! Thank you.

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. Round 6 of the fund is now open.

Round 6*
Applications open: 2 September – 15 September 2024
Applicants notified: 30 September 2024

Round 7*
Applications open: 30 September – 13 October 2024
Applicants notified: 28 October 2024
*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. Within your application, it is important that you both:

Be clear and specific with the nature of your current financial hardship, that the fund will help to address, and;
Detail how the one-off payment will support you in your learning.

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. Please contact us at Manaaki.Fund@careerforce.org.nz or on 0800 277 486 (and ask for the Manaaki Fund Team).

We want to support you in understanding the importance of academic integrity. Academic misconduct happens when someone submits work that isn’t their own or uses unauthorised help, including from other learners or online tools like AI.

To maintain the integrity of our programmes and ensure your employer can trust your skills, it’s essential that all assessment work is your own. Use real examples from your workplace and explain them in your own words to show us what you know and can do.

If you refer to ideas from other authors, be sure to give them proper credit. Remember, we're not assessing your English or grammar skills, we want to see you demonstrate your understanding and ability in your role.

Consequences of Academic Misconduct:

You could lose unit standards from your NZQA record and have to resubmit your work.
If misconduct affects a qualification you’ve earned, it might be cancelled.

If you’re struggling with assessments or need help with literacy, please talk to your manager or assessor, join one of our free study workshops, or reach out to us at Careerforce. We’re here to help you succeed.

For more information, check out our resource Your original words.

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.

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?

For those of you coming to the end of your Level 4 Apprenticeship, this is a good time to consider if a Level 5 Diploma is the next step for you.

You may wish to consider

The Diploma in Business (Leadership and Management) Level 5 >>More
The Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Applied Practice) Level 5, offered in the following specialisations/contexts: >>More

Community and Public Housing
Disability Community Support
Financial Mentor
Family Violence Sexual Violence
Health Coach
Mental Health Community
Mental Health and Addiction Peer Support
Mental Health Forensic Services
Positive Behaviour Support
Trauma informed therapeutic care and education
Victim Support
Whānau Support
Youth Support
Employment Support

We are currently offering free enrolments ( a saving of $2,000 incl GST) in the Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Applied Practice) until 30 November 2024 (subject to applicants meeting the full eligibility criteria). >>More