Matapuna Training Centre

"Empowering and navigating inspirational futures" Support "at risk" youth to become contributing members of our society.

Gisborne

Matapuna Training Centre provides programmes for at risk youth and adults that have no or low formal education.

The majority of our students are aged 16 - 19 and disengaged from school at an early age. We offer them holistic support and the opportunity to re-engage in education and gain their level 1 and 2 qualifications. Our goal is to ensure that all students obtain their qualifications and leave Matapuna after two years to enter further training, higher education, into employment. We currently have 58 students per year and have a 65% success rate which is improving annually - we are aiming for 100%.

Adult programmes aim to improve literacy (including IT, numeracy, and employment seeking skills. Adults either work towards preparing to retrain or enter higher study or enter employment.

For all students there is a significant focus on providing support to remove any barriers to success they may have anything from drug and alcohol addiction, abuse, self management issues, medical or psychological issues to financial hardship or lack of home support. We have a significant focus on developing students key competencies alongside their education.

Qualifications offered are:

NCEA L1

NCEA L2

NC in Computing L2

NC in Business Administration and Computing L2

More about us

"Empowering and navigating inspirational futures"

Matapuna provides programmes for at risk youth and adults that have low, or no, qualifications and skills.

Predominantly the youth students (aged 11 - 24) have left school at a young age. Matapuna provides and opportunity to re-engage in education, gain their level 1 and 2 qualifications and progress into higher training and education.

Adult programmes aim to assist with improving literacies (including IT), Numeracy and employment skills to lead into formal education or employment.

Matapuna has been operating since 1989 and was founded by Dr Kevin Makin in response to the high unemployment caused by the Freezing Works and Watties closures in Gisborne and the need for adults to gain computing skills in order to re-enter the workforce.

Matapuna Trust is a registered charitable trust and is not for profit with any profits being used to provide additional services for students or higher education scholarships.

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