Careers Guidance Specialist

This service is run by Karen Ell. Karen is an experienced Careers Advisor who works with students and their parents/caregivers to assist with career and future education decisions. The focus is educative rather than directive, within a holistic approach. The department is also involved in developing Careers study guides for Year 11 students as they progress through their studies.

Trades Academy

Trident High School has been the catalyst school establishing  the ‘Eastern Bay of Plenty Trades Academy’ (Whakatane). The Minister stated, "Trades Academies are a vital part of the Youth Guarantee and provide an innovative approach to keeping 16 and 17 year olds engaged in education, as they develop their vocational skills and talents through trades and technology programmes." The Academies are based on partnerships between schools, tertiary institutions, industry training organisations and employers. They enable students to earn both NCEA credits and a tertiary qualification, while gaining Trades Academy students will still be enrolled at school but may study at another site, for example at a workplace or polytechnic, on some or all days throughout the term.  100 students will benefit from a two year programme led by Trident High School, involving seven schools and Waiariki Institute of Technology. This will be 80 per cent secondary and 20 per cent tertiary in year one, and 60 per cent secondary and 40 per cent tertiary in year two.  Programmes on offer in 2011 could include National Certificate Level 2 Agriculture, Forestry, Automotive Engineering, Construction, Hospitality and Office Administration. "Our young people need a flexible education system and Trades Academies will provide a great advantage for those following an industry-related career,” the Minister said.