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Secondary school students will be given a new pathway into workplace trades through a new training scheme at Bay of Plenty Trades Academy.

A total of 85 secondary students gathered with kaumatua, teachers, principals and deputies at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic to celebrate the launch this week.

Otumoetai College Deputy Principal Bruce Farthing; Bay of Plenty Polytechnic CEO Dr Alan Hampton, Trident High School Principal Peter Tootell; Waiariki Institute of Technology EBOP Trades Academy Manager Rosemary Johnson, and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Academic Director Dr Helen Anderson.

The Western Bay of Plenty Trades Academy builds on a successful model enabling students to develop hands-on practical skills tailored to meet the demands of tomorrow's workforce.

Focusing on delivering trades and technology training programmes to Year 12 and 13 secondary students, Trades Academies form partnerships between schools, tertiary institutions, ITOs and employers.

In this model students can combine study at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic with studies towards their NCEA and a nationally recognisable tertiary qualification at Level 2 or 3.

All tuition fees for Trades Academy students will be covered by the Government.

'This is an exciting opportunity and I congratulate Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and your staff for embracing the Bay of Plenty Trades Academy and offering this opportunity for these young people,” says Peter Tootell, Principal Trident High School, lead provider for the region.

'Most importantly the challenge lies with you. If you can remember anything from what is said today, then it should be A + A = A. A for Attendance, actually being here when you are supposed to be here. Second A - most important.

"A for attitude; having a really positive attitude working with your tutors and with your principals. Equals A. Achievement. And that's what this is all about,” he told students at the launch.

Academic Director at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Dr Helen Anderson, was delighted with the turn out.

'This is an exciting opportunity for Bay of Plenty Polytechnic to be able to work collaboratively with local high schools to bring our young people greater opportunities for achievement.

'Trade Academies open new doors for young people helping them to achieve success across a variety of vocational pathways.”

Trades Academies were established under the Government's Youth Guarantee Policy with Trident High School taking the lead in the Bay of Plenty and forming partnerships with Waiariki Institute of Technology and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic will be offering a number of vocational training opportunities through the Trades Academy including construction skills, mechanical engineering, automotive training, early childhood education, cafe operations and business administration and computing.

Students from local high schools including Katikati College, Bethlehem College, Otumoetai College, Te Wharekura o Mauao, Aquinas College, Tauranga Boys' College, Tauranga Girls' College, Mount Maunganui College, Papamoa College and Te Puke High Schools will be attending classes one day a week at the Polytechnic's Campuses at Windermere or the Bongard Centre.