About Career Hauora
About the Career Hauora imagery:
A career is a journey requiring action and effort to keep moving forward. The paddler needs to paddle on both sides to keep the waka moving in a straight line. Direction can be changed at any time.
The two crossed hoe (paddles) represent a starting point or end goal. A crossroad and interconnection. Crossing the hoe in these designs connects the symbols; career and hauora. Each element affects the other and both are important for life-balance.
The manawa koru design on the hoe with the breath line down the middle refers to self / life breath / Rangi and Papa. The three manawa represent self-whānau-community and past-present-future.
Alignment with Regional and National Strategy
Career Hauora directly addresses the Ministry of Educations’ National Education Learning Priority 7, “collaborate with industries and employers to ensure learners/ākonga have the skills, knowledge and pathways to succeed in work.”
Career Hauora also supports the Waikato Workforce Development action plan, specifically action 16 “Improve the quality of careers guidance for young people in the Waikato.”
Career Hauora aligns with the Tertiary Education Commission’s report “Transitions from Secondary School (2022)” and the Career Education Strategy.
Research and Impact
Quantitative and qualitative data was collected throughout the 2022 pilot.
- Students were surveyed twice via SurveyMonkey, 5 months apart, to assess the impact of Career Hauora.
- Staff were surveyed to gain feedback on the resource structure and content as well as the staff professional learning and development sessions.
- Several student and staff focus groups were held covering resource content and accessibility, time allocation and structure and overall effectiveness in enhancing student Career Hauora.
Personal impact of Career Hauora
- Reduces career anxiety
- Increases sense of self
- Offers hope and aspiration
- Creates stronger connections with school and class
- Prepares students for life beyond school
- Improves work readiness
- Provides direction for self-guided learning
Career Hauora delivers the following significant benefits
- Greater retention of students at school, leading to lower NEET rates, higher achievement and better transitions into work and training.
- Development and promotion of entry-level work opportunities and tertiary education training pathways.
- Fosters strong local schooling, tertiary and employer connections to develop skills pipelines supporting future local labour market needs.
- Positively affects rangatahi wellbeing through earlier intervention, supporting career pathways in schools.
Career Hauora delivers the following significant benefits
Greater retention of students at school, leading to lower NEET rates, higher achievement and better transitions into work and training.
Development and promotion of entry-level work opportunities and tertiary education training pathways.
Fosters strong local schooling, tertiary and employer connections to develop skills pipelines supporting future local labour market needs.
Positively affects rangatahi wellbeing through earlier intervention, supporting career pathways in schools.
Economic Impact
Alongside the much needed improvement in wellbeing that Career Hauora gives to our rangatahi, it also positively impacts economic development. Through Career Hauora, young people are better informed about local industries, they are more work ready, their career and study aspirations are raised and ultimately their career decisions are better aligned to growth industries. Local employers are invited to connect with schools and students, enabling real education and employment pathways. Career Hauora is scaleable as resources can be utilised nationwide across all secondary schools, all teachers and all year levels, as well as all youth organisations.