Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
5 mins ago
Thousands of Hawke’s Bay students got a taste of what EIT has to offer at this year’s Hawke’s Bay Careers Expo.
Senior secondary school students thinking about their future career pathways have been given a taste of what studying at the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) will be like.
The Hawke’s Bay Careers Expo, which was cancelled last year due to Covid-19, attracted more than 2200 students from 30 schools and members of the public to the Pettigrew Green Arena (PGA) this week.
Two morning sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday primarily targeted students, while a public session on Tuesday evening saw anybody who was keen to up-skill, interested to make changes or explore opportunities, attend.
The expansive EIT display showcased the institute’s extensive range of offerings, with more than 180 post-graduate, degree, diploma, and certificate level programmes, across a number of subjects.
Students were able to get hands-on instruction, from practicing barber techniques on balloons, CPR on mannequins, and tyre changing, among other things. Current EIT students also shared their experience at the institute.
NZ Certificate in Barber Skills [Level 3] students; Jagroop Singh (left), Regan Lusis, Karl Cappie, and Cruz Eden demonstrate some of the skills learned in the programme, on a balloon.
Karina Waikawa and Des Tiller, both students in the NZ Diploma in Te Reo Māori (Immersion) [Level 5] demonstrated the traditional way of shaping a pounamu (greenstone) into a taonga.
Karina, who is 70 years old, says she is proof that age is no barrier when it comes to studying at EIT.
Studying at EIT has enabled her to keep up with changes within the world and her culture. For her, staying immersed with Te Ao Māori is not only important for her but also her mokopuna (grandchildren).
She hopes it will inspire other people, no matter what age, to follow their passions, and enrol in tertiary study.
While on the other end of the spectrum, and with an EIT bag in tow, Year 12 Napier Girls’ High School student Amaia Watson said the expo was good to get an understanding of the different options available. Hastings Girls’ High School student Miracle Lagaaia shared similar sentiments, adding that it was “really helpful”, and she was particularly interested in the programmes EIT offers.
Karina Waikawa and Des Tiller, both students in the NZ Diploma in Te Reo Māori (Immersion) [Level 5] demonstrate the traditional way of shaping a pounamu (greenstone) into a taonga.
Todd Rogers, Head of School Trades and Technology, said being able to speak to parents and school career advisors was particularly beneficial to help guide students on the right pathway.
