The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic is using the sea to provide learning opportunities for at risk youth through the Ministry of Education's Youth Guarantees scheme.

The polytechnic last year became one of the first institutes of technology/polytechnics to provide the free study programme for 16-17 year olds.

It is a scheme designed to help young people considered ‘most at risk' and offers them a chance to learn and be motivated in a non-traditional secondary school setting.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic director Maori and community development, Kuku Wawatai, says an innovative approach is being taken to meet the learning needs of the students.

'We commenced the process by identifying and accepting the challenge that existed for our young people,” says Kuku.

'We wanted to be able to provide something hands-on, something tactile and kinaesthetic that we could apply immediately at home and in a community context.

'Critical to the success of our programmes was ensuring we recruited people who had good community connections with a youth background and were teacher focused.

'Also essential was choosing the right programme to fit the needs of the students.”

Kuku and his team selected the Certificate in Maritime and Fishing Technology from about 120 possibilities as the appropriate course to undertake with these students.

The practical hands-on programme is heavily engaged in industry and embraces two of the core philosophies of Youth Guarantees: meeting the needs of the future and being whanau focused.

He says the six month programme is ideal because it's a mix of innovative technology and respect for tradition, and because many Maori work in the maritime industry.

'Our first cohort of 40 students began their journey nurtured by a network of encompassing focused and connected teachers, whanau, iwi and hapu,” says Kuku.

'Testament to the success of the programme; all students were awarded their level three qualification with many planning to undertake further tertiary study.”

He says feedback from the Tertiary Education Commission is positive for the programme and indicated that the polytechnic and its communities.

This year the polytechnic has taken on 60 young people in the Youth Guarantees scheme.