Whakatipu (growth) is a new eight-day course created by Outward Bound and the Ministry of Education this year to make it easier for rangatahi to transition from education to employment, arming them with the right skills while lifting youth employability rates.
Held in June and August, the course is a new vocational pathway for rangatahi and co-designed with employers to ensure students gain the work-ready skills they need.
"Outward Bound gathered employer and teacher feedback about a student's areas for growth before the course, and this is used to tailor the course delivery to their individual needs with targeted outcomes," explains Krishan Kumar, Outward Bound Community Development Partner.
When designing the course, employers worked with Outward Bound to identify the areas they see students were needing to improve in their workforce skills, including time management, how prepared they were for work, problem solving and decision making abilities.
With the labour shortage crisis, employers look more and more towards a younger workforce and seek rangatahi that can learn the mindset and responsibilities that come with employment.
"Throughout the course, there's a lot of time for reflection and group discussion and one-on-one time with instructors. It's a place where young people can learn team building, problem solving, communication, leadership skills through outdoor challenges and activities that will push them to their limits – skills essential for successful employment," adds Krishan.
Ministry of Education Parent Information and Community Intelligence National Director Rose Jamieson says: "We were excited to partner with Outward Bound because we know developing attitudes and employability skills are critical to a young person successfully transitioning into the world of work.
Paddy Rangiwai-Evans
“I've got fit, improved my teamwork, leadership and self-awareness skills, and I have a career in the army to look forward to. The course was much harder than I expected, but the challenges were worth it.”
One student who credits his time attending the Whakatipu course in August is Paddy Rangiwai-Evans.
Paddy was awarded a scholarship to attend, nominated by his teacher who said he was "deserving, always giving 100%, totally reliable, personable and committed".
Pre-course, the year 13 Gisborne Boys' High School student attended a weekly trades programme to prepare him for a service career. Paddy hoped to join the NZ Defence Force (NZDF) next year to train as a navy combat specialist.
"I felt privileged to receive a scholarship for a programme that has changed my life. Rob was one of my course instructors, and he helped me to realise if I didn't change my approach to life, then the army wouldn't take me on. His words got stuck in my head. I knew I was going the gang’s way, and facing this truth at Outward Bound, broke me down.
“My watch mates were there for me; they supported me. I've made strong connections at Outward Bound, and since the course ended, I have met up with my watch mates, one of them I've seen at least 20 times.”
Above: Paddy Rangiwai-Evans. Below: Paddy's Whakatipu Course, Shackelton Watch 690.
Paddy has since been offered a place in the armed forces from June 2023, and the 17-year-old credits the new course for this.
"Outward Bound gave me the fitness level to pass the army test, to run 2.4 kilometres in under ten minutes.
NZDF Deputy Director Recruiting Ops, Major Albie Rothman, says that much like Outward Bound, the NZDF inspires its people to be better through challenge.
"This breeds the resilience needed in hostile environments on operations around the world. By partnering with Outward Bound, selected candidates gain the skills they need to start a career with the Defence Force."
Ben Corlett is a Year 12 student at Wellington College and a keen sportsperson selected for a Wellington under 16 representative team. He also enjoys the outdoors, including tramping, and relished the challenge of attending the new Whakatipu course.
"The main reason I wanted to do Outward Bound was to develop myself as a person and be able to work better in a team," said Ben.
The work placement has given Ben an insight into scheduling jobs and organising transport, as well as the skills and requirements for various plumbing jobs. Ben says he has seen the importance of teamwork for a career such as plumbing and was thrilled to be accepted into Outward Bound.
"One thing was having a positive mindset. So just staying positive, not thinking about the negative. Another one was being optimistic and thinking on the bright side to enjoy the moment."
Mike Ellett, one of Ben's teachers, has been delighted with Ben's progress since doing the Gateway and Outward Bound courses. At the start of the year, Ben was not interested in coming back to do Year 13, wanting to focus instead on getting a full-time apprenticeship. However, he has since changed his perspective.
"As the year has progressed, his rugby and his schoolwork have progressed. I feel that doing the Outward Bound course opened him up to what is available out there. He's virtually got his NCEA Level 2 now which is great, and I think he knows that he can quite easily achieve Level 3," explains Mike.
Places on the 2022 Whakatipu courses were allocated to regions throughout New Zealand including Northland, Waikato, Tairāwhiti, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough, West Coast and Canterbury. For future courses, Outward Bound will work with Work Brokers and the Ministry's Secondary Transitions team to expand the regional spread to all corners of the country.
