NCEA at the BEST Youth Academy
There’s some exciting news for 16 and 17 year olds wanting to study through the BEST Youth Academy in 2012.
In a first for BEST, students studying towards a national qualification will also be in a position to achieve NCEA level 1, 2 or 3 qualifications upon completion.
Students can choose from a National Certificate in Employment Skills, Business Administration, Freight and Tourism and Sport, which will have NCEA units woven into the courses.
Upon completion they can achieve both qualifications.
BEST Youth Academy Manager, Marina Masame says the move is the result of listening to students and their families after careful consultation with them. “The big picture means our students will have an improved pathway into higher level education whether within BEST or at another provider. The NCEA qualifications will allow them to transition smoothly. This new move sets them up to succeed."
BEST Youth Academy is also excited about the way it will deliver the two qualifications.
BEST Life is a support programme designed around each qualification that focuses on cultural identity, leadership and citizenship.
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We know our students and what works for them. Education will be a greater aspiration for our Youth when they are confident of who they are, where they come from and how they can achieve.” Marina says BEST has over 20 years experience in educating young people and empowering them to learn. “It’s a fun programme that allows our youth to engage with other youth and adults. It involves practical components such as role playing, dance and performing arts to allow greater expression. It’s what separates us from schools. Marina is confident in the new direction the BEST Youth Academy is taking because they did their research with lots of young people.
Listening to our students
“The youth told us it was important for them to talk with other youth and not just adults. They told us they wanted initiatives to be led by their peers. We took this on board and are excited to announce we will have a mentoring component in the 2012 programme. We plan to involve our graduate students this year as mentors for next year. The youth that graduate this year will be invited to be guest speakers as well as lead and support various workshops. It’s what they wanted.” Marina says it’s about youth with proven success leading other youth to succeed.
Graduation Success: Malofou Gasu
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Combining work and study
Working eight hours a day in a job that wasn’t fulfilling was motivation enough for Malofou Gasu to go back to study but being able to do it part time through BEST was exactly what he was looking for. The 25 year old Samoan was encouraged by his father, Tuimaseve, who heard an advertisement on Radio Samoa about the flexibility in study options at BEST.
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“I wanted to keep working to support my parents so studying at night was really the only option for me. I had been interested in Travel and Tourism at school and decided to do a certificate through BEST.” “I like travelling and love meeting new people and through my study I have really discovered a real passion for this work.”
Malofou was the only male in a class of around 30 and was quite shy to begin with. "I used to stay at the back of the class and not really say anything, but thanks to the help of my tutor, Martha Aseta, and my Course Directors, Khing Chadwick and Trey Meihi, I really became more confident and by the end of the course could get up in front of the class. "
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"They really are good at helping Pacific people and giving us the opportunity for a better future because they know how to motivate and push you.” He was the first student in his class to complete the course and is now seriously thinking of doing the Diploma in Travel and Tourism. “I would like to work in the airline industry maybe in the ‘Check-In’ department or as a Flight Attendant but I feel I need more experience so I want to go back to BEST as soon as I can.”
Thank you to my parents
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Malofou says he’s looking forward to graduation on 16 December at the Telstra Pacific Events Centre in Manukau as are his parents Tui and Pilisa Gasu. “They were really encouraging about me going to BEST. They would always remind me of my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are really my biggest supporters. They are definitely coming to see me graduate.” Malofou juggled work, church obligations and sport with his study and now his success has encouraged some of his cousins to look at studying through BEST. It’s not easy working and studying but if you focus, complete it and have a passion about the course, you will be able to cope with it.”
Gasu credits BEST with a lot of his success. “There’s always an opportunity for you out there. If you are in a job that you are not passionate about go and do some study and find that career that you really love." "That’s what BEST has helped me to do.”
Jobs for BEST graduates
Employment Consultant, Simaile Faalogo can sum up his job with BEST People in just two words “Dream Makers.”
“That’s what we do; we help people fulfil their jobs after they complete their study at BEST.” Simaile Faalogo lives and breathes that motto and has over 20 years experience in the employment industry to back it up. He’s been at BEST for just over two years now and is committed to helping Pacific people find not just a job but a career. “In the beginning of my career, I was very shy and would never talk to people but through my experiences in the employment field I have developed the skills to now be able to knock on employer’s doors and negotiate for our people. God has given me a gift to help people and the values I learnt from my mother are what motivate me in this job.”
Achieving Great Results
Simaile has achieved great results for the organisation. He has placed 45 students in the last year with The Warehouse and currently has DHL, the Department of Corrections, Housing NZ and the District Court on his books. “When a student comes for help I don’t see just them, I see their family and their ancestors behind them and that makes me want to work even harder.” He is also one of the faces behind BEST’s radio campaign on Radio Samoa and the television programme on Triangle Television. BEST Pacific Institute of Education has a proud history of graduate success. Careers and Employment is about equipping students with the necessary tools to empower them to become their change agents. In 2010, 70.4% of graduates went on to secure skilled employment and 10.4% went on to further or higher study. That achievement is what drives Simaile. He has lots of success stories but he remembers one particular young man who completed his freight forwarding certificate. “He was motivated by the fact that his father couldn’t work and that his mother wasn’t well. He told me I need to get a job because my family depend on me so I went door knocking. One employer gave me a number but nothing happened but it led me to another until I had been through 4 employers but I finally found him a job in Penrose. Within 6 months that young man became a supervisor and then a trainer. His family was very happy.”
The BEST people Team
Simaile credits his success to the wonderful team at BEST People and their commitment for improvement which includes post placement support for up to 9 months. “That’s not normal practise but when you do something right, you will feel right. We are also continuing to help our alumni students with their career change and how to move on to the next level at their place of work. I have people to justify to and God gave me a gift to help our people. I am committed and passionate to these values.” He says conducting one-on-one sessions with students also helps. “I ask them to attend our employment workshops, and take them out with me so they can observe what I do, like asking an employer if there’s a job opportunity, then I ask them to have a go. It is the formula that makes BEST People successful.
PIPA Goes International
After a successful sold out season in 2010, graduates from the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts have been invited to perform “Where We Once Belonged” – by Sia Figiel, adapted for the stage by Dave Armstrong, at the Powerhouse in Brisbane, Australia at ‘The World Theatre Festival 2012.’
Director of School, Sean Coyle says this is recognition of the outstanding work director Goretti Chadwick and PIPA have done with this production. “This opportunity is important for both PIPA and for young emerging Pacific artists, as it means they get to showcase their unique style of theatre, develop their skills and share their stories with the wider community, alongside other leading theatre companies from Belarus, Italy and Australia.” The school held a fundraiser earlier this month to help raise funds for the festival which will run 16-26 February 2012.
To go to PIPA website click here: www.pipa.ac.nz
