CPaBL: CREATING PATHWAYS AND BUILDING LIVES

Hastings Boys’ High School is one of only 100 secondary schools to be part of the new Ministry of Education initiative for career’s guidance “CPaBL.” Running in conjunction with each school’s careers programme, CPaBL aims to support students in career education in order to make the transition from school to work, into further education or training smoother.

Hastings Boys’ High School is focused on four main desired outcomes for students from their involvement with CPaBL. Firstly for students to have access to up-to-date information and personalized guidance and secondly, that all students are taught basic career management skills. Another desired outcome for the students is that as a school, Hastings Boys' High School will offer a variety of career education programmes and also that career education planning will identify the needs of specific students, assistance they require and who will provide it.  

Mr McCracken, Hastings Boys' High School’s Careers Advisor, says “Successful transitions are more likely when students have the opportunity to explore and experience a range of career options and when there are effective bridges between school and post-school education and training.” He believes that being involved in the CPaBL initiative will benefit the students immensely as the focus is on building a whole school approach to career education. “Already we are beginning to plan for Careers education in all areas of the curriculum. It’s a definite shift away from the one man band that Careers Advising so often is,” Mr McCracken explained.

GATEWAY GAINING MOMENTUM 

The Gateway Programme at Hastings Boys’ High School has been in place since 2005. All Year 11-13 students are eligible to participate in Gateway. The aim is to provide students with the opportunity to gain specific vocational skills leading to future employment. Students who participate in Gateway are those who are interested in a career in a particular industry, are ‘work ready’ and are able to undertake individual assessment for NQF credits in the workplace. Gateway placements for Hastings Boys’ High School students already include agriculture (including farming), building and construction, education, hospitality, motor engineering, plumbing, retail, tourism, radio, television and hairdressing.

Not only do the students benefit from work placements but employers too.   Mr Jenks, Hastings Boys’ High Schools Vocational Studies co-ordinator says, “Employers benefit from the programme through possible recruitment, improved public relations and by contributing to local needs.” Workplace learning is a formalised learning arrangement set in an actual workplace, with clear understandings about the knowledge and skills to be obtained, and the assessment of unit or achievement standards. This does not create any extra work for the employer Mike says as all workplace learning is overseen by the school.

Any students interested in Gateway placements are encouraged to seek further information about the Gateway programme at any time from Mr Jenks, Mrs. Tidswell or Mr K. Crawford.