At our meeting on Tuesday, 20 January,  we welcomed Miriam Seifert-Johnson and her colleagues, Naomi Paul and Rogan Thickett from the ARA Education Trust.  

By way of introduction, the ARA Education Trust is a partnership between industry, government agencies and five school principals to create employment and training opportunities for South Auckland school leavers. ​It is a practical means of helping school leavers into jobs by supporting them with the transition from school into work.  To achieve its goals ARA partners with  Auckland Airport, schools, and government agencies like MSD. It also provides certifications such as first aid, site safe, and provides help with Driver's Licensing.

Ara has a strong youth focus, working with students in their final years of school to make them more employable.  Practical skills in trades, including construction, are emphasized, with a focus on hand tools, power tools, and certifications. Ara also offers technology-focused programs for those interested in AI, IT, etc.

Industry partnerships are crucial for providing work experience and holistic support for the youth.

Miriam told us that Ara focuses on building trust and rapport with the youth through regular catch-ups and open communication. Mentors provide support from the beginning of the program until the youth move into employment. ◦ The mentorship program aims to empower and motivate the youth, especially those from families who may have told them they are not good enough. Mentors act as role models, demonstrating positive behaviors, problem-solving, and patience.

Ara has regular check-ups with the youth are conducted to understand their personal lives and goals. Mentors provide constructive feedback and broaden the youth's horizons by exploring other career opportunities. The program includes goal setting, skill development (both hard and soft skills), and ensuring the youth can be themselves. Ara aims to increase the youth's confidence and ensure they have meaningful connections with trades and new tools.

Following on from Miriam, Rogan - school facilitator for the school program at Ara.

Rogan told us that her role includes engaging with the youth, teaching them interview skills, contract understanding, and building a good CV.  She also engages with stakeholders and runs multiple work experience programs with companies like Hawkins, Brian Perry, and Sims Metal. The work experience programs provide the youth with valuable exposure to different trades and industries.

Rogan shared with us a noumber of stories of the students who have gained employment and apprenticeships through Ara's programs. Each of those stories were impressive including one about a young woman who is the first female building apprentice at Woodview Construction and is doing well in her apprenticeship.

Rogan emphasizes the importance of mentoring and pastoral care in helping the youth overcome personal and financial barriers. Many of the young people face significant challenges, but having someone to support them helps them overcome these barriers.  The mentoring program provides reassurance and solutions, which are crucial for the success of the young people that Ara deals with.

Rogan concluded by commenting on the need for future programs that integrate mentorship and support in schools, noting ARA's own successes in helping young people achieve sustainable careers.

Following the ARA presentation, we heard from Fiona Leigh, a vocational pathways teacher at Aorere College, in charge of the Gold program.

The Gold Progam is a program that aims to keep students at school as long as possible to improve their socialization.  The students that the gold program focuses upon are those that other teachers don't want, who have caused mayhem, but have potential.

The program focuses on vocational education, including pathways, building mechanics, and electronics.

Fiona shared her experience of being accepted by the students, who call her "auntie." The program aims to make students successful and give back to their communities. She emphasized the importance of mentoring in helping students see a possible future and believe they can achieve. Fiona told us that the program has faced challenges, such as students not seeing the value in their experience and not getting credits or payment for their work.

Fiona talked about mentoring within the program and the need for mentors to support the good work done at Ara.  She spoke of success stories of students who are now employed and doing well. She noted a mentor's role is to offer verbal support and reinforce the skills learned at Ara.

Fioan talked about the logistics of mentoring sessions, including the best times for mentoring. The students are on site at school only two days a week, with the rest of the week spent at Ara or NZMA. Mentoring sessions would be once a week, with regular times and support from teachers. Fiona explained the role of mentors in supporting the students' learning and employability. Mentors reinforce skills learned at Ara and help students see the value of their experience. Teachers would be present to support mentors and ensure the sessions run smoothly.

The whole point of the program is to show students that their current efforts will lead to future success.  Mentors are important in providing verbal support, reinforcing skills and helping students see the value of their experience and how it can lead to future opportunities.

Fiona noted that mentors with business management experience can also be effective.  The gold program is aiming to support six schools and prioritize getting the two main schools going.  Fiona's address concluded with a call to action for more mentors to support the program.