Rethinking How Schools Prepare Students For Work
This is the third and final phase of Food and Fibre CoVE's Secondary School Pathways and Transitions to VET and Employment Project, and it presents a compelling case for reimagining the so-called 'secondary-tertiary-employment transition' as a more holistic and responsive school-to-work interface. The report draws on case studies, expert interviews, and extensive policy review to showcase promising practices in the food and fibre sector and beyond.
'The idea of a 'transition' suggests a one-off handover from school to something else,' said education specialist Arthur Graves, who co-authored the report with Skills Group. 'But young people aren't just moving between systems, they're on a journey that involves continuous progression. We need to stop treating education and employment as silos and start building connected pathways that reflect real life.'
The report proposes a system that spans Years 12–14, where dual enrolment becomes the norm and students have access to a wider range of curriculum and funding options that support more flexible, individualised learning journeys. It calls on government, industry, and education providers to adopt a coordinated, value-based approach that treats the school-to-work interface as both a skills pipeline and a value chain for the nation.
'If we want young people to thrive – and if we want a productive, future-ready workforce – we need to think beyond just getting them from school to tertiary education,' Arthur added. 'The real journey is from school to work. That's where lives are shaped, and where industries like food and fibre find their future leaders.'
The case studies in the report highlight how schools, tertiary providers, and industry partners across Aotearoa New Zealand are reshaping the connection between education and employment. They showcase a range of innovative approaches – from school-led ecosystems and industry-driven models to regionally embedded partnerships and integrated curricula. Each example brings the report's key themes and recommendations to life, offering practical, real-world solutions already making a tangible impact on young people, their communities, and the industries they are preparing to enter. The case studies featured include:
The report is particularly relevant for stakeholders in the food and fibre sector, but its recommendations have broader implications for workforce strategy and national education as it reforms towards a new curriculum.
To read the full 'Future Focus' report and explore the case studies, visit: https://foodandfibrecove.nz/project/secondary-school-transitions-and-pathways-to-vet-and-employment/
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