A report from the Ministry of Education indicated that students involved in the Gateway and Trades Academy programmes were more likely to have secured employment by age 20 compared to other students.
The report compared the education and employment outcomes of individuals who participated in the programmes in 2014 and 2018 with those of students who did not take part.
It said both the Gateway and Trades Academy programmes “increased the likelihood of students staying in education at age 17 and achieving a Level 2 or higher qualification by age 18.”
These impacts were found to be consistent across different genders and ethnic groups.
“Men in both programmes were more likely to enroll in and complete apprenticeships, though rates remained lower for Māori and Pacific men. Women’s apprenticeship participation remained low.”
“Both programmes reduced the likelihood of being in limited employment and increased students being in substantial employment, particularly for men.”
“Gateway had a stronger effect than Trades Academies in reducing limited employment for women, especially Māori and Pacific women.”
According to the report, 87% to 90% of Gateway and Trades Academy students had achieved a level two qualification by age 18, compared to 78% to 79% of similar students who had not participated in either programme.
By the age of 20, 46% to 53% of the Trades Academy and Gateway cohorts were engaged in employment, compared to 35% to 38% of the group that had not participated in either programme.