Source: NorthTec
Anyone wanting to find out about working in the social services is invited to attend a roadshow by NorthTec.
Staff will present on “All About Working in Social Services” and there will be talks on careers in social work, mental health, addictions support, counselling, youth work and community development.
It will start with an event at the NorthTec City Centre Learning Hub in Bank Street, Whangārei, on Tuesday, 6 October from 5pm to 8pm.
The roadshow will then go to NorthTec’s campuses in Kerikeri and Kaikohe, and there will also be an event in Kaitaia at the Te Ahu Centre. It will be held at the Kerikeri campus on Wednesday, 7 October; in Kaitaia on Tuesday, 20 October and at the Kaikohe campus on Wednesday, 21 October. Each event will run from 4pm to 7pm, with a drop-in session between 4pm and 5pm, and a presentation at 5pm.
NorthTec teaches a Bachelor of Applied Social Work – a four-year degree which when successfully completed enables graduates to apply to register with the Social Workers Registration Board New Zealand. This is a legal requirement to be employed as a social worker.
NorthTec also offers the NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Mental Health and Addictions), a Level 4, one-year programme which gives graduates the skills and knowledge to work in mental health and addictions support. This programme is taught at the Raumanga, Kerikeri and Kaitaia campuses and will be available fees-free in 2021.
There is also a Level 4 Study and Career Preparation course with a strand in Social Services, which can bring students to the academic level required to apply to study in either the Certificate in Health and Wellbeing or the degree programme. In 2021 it will be delivered from the Kaikohe, Kerikeri and Kaitaia campuses.
John Stansfield, Pathway Manager, Social Services, said: “Careers in social work and mental health and addictions support are challenging but can be very rewarding. Staff in these fields work with some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people and can make a huge difference to their lives.
“There are many career opportunities both here in Te Tai Tokerau and across the rest of New Zealand, in fact there is a shortage of workers in the sector, and well qualified people with the right skills and attributes are always sought after.
“The work is varied and interesting, and as it involves working with people you will never be replaced by a machine – it’s a secure career to go into and the sector has also experienced significant wage rises.
“Anyone who is interested in a career in this field is welcome to come to our roadshow and we will give them all the information they need to make a decision about studying, and answer any questions they may have.”
