Celebrating our future trades leaders

The achievements and hard work of MIT Trades Academy students have been celebrated at our annual prize giving.

More than one hundred where awarded either Tohu Maia – Diligent Student or Tohu Tiketike – Top Student awards.

“You are doing things that are so important to us. What you’re doing is what gets teachers and staff at MIT out of bed in the morning,” Deputy Chief Executive Learner Experience & Student Success Simon Nash told an audience of students, staff, secondary schools partners, whānau and supporters.

“You have taken a really important first step on the pathway towards a future career. We are very proud of you. Congratulations!” Mr Nash said.

Manukau Institute of Technology runs the largest tertiary-based trades academy in the country. The scheme allows secondary learners to pursue vocational training through our institute while completing NCEA.

Currently, the Ministry of Education supports 862 places in the academy which is attended by learners from thirty different schools in the region.

As well as providing opportunities to learn skills in a broad range of professions including trades, hairdressing, hospitality, healthcare and IT; the academy arranges opportunities to visit industry and attend expos.

In 2024, these engagements included ākonga visiting the Women in Trades and Building Expos. While Level 3 Engineering students toured New Zealand Steel’s Glenbrook Mill.

Maneesh Singh who has graduated from MIT with a Diploma in Civil Engineering while also serving as a Student Councillor spoke about how the academy helped focus his journey towards a career starting in Year 12 at Afriston College.

“Stop wondering if you’ve missed your chance,” Mr Singh told the audience. “So long as you’re breathing it’s never too late. The only thing between you and your goals is the narrative you keep telling yourself you won’t succeed. Instead of comparing yourself to others focus on your own goals. Your journey is unique. The person to the left of you may be facing battles you may not know about. The person to the right might be looking at you thinking you’ve got it all worked out.”

“The only person you need to be better than is the person you were yesterday,” he said.

Tohu Maia – Diligent Student or Tohu Tiketike – Top Student Award winners 2024.