Gateway
Trades experience for students
Gateway • School Placement

EarnLearn’s Gateway programmes support schools to give Year 11–13 students meaningful, structured exposure to the trades, while earning NCEA credits and building confidence about their next steps after school.

Gateway is ideal for students who are curious about hands-on careers and ready to experience what working in the trades is really like. Through a combination of workplace learning, assessment, and industry-aligned training, students gain practical skills and insight into trade pathways before leaving school.

What Gateway is and who it’s for?

EarnLearn’s Gateway programmes support Year 11–13 students who are exploring vocational pathways and ready for real workplace experience alongside their studies.

Gateway gives students the opportunity to:

Experience the trades in a real work environment

Build practical skills and workplace confidence

Earn NCEA credits while still at school

Make informed decisions about post-school pathways

EarnLearn works with schools to provide a structured, compliant Gateway programme that is easy to deliver and well supported.

How the programme works

Gateway is delivered through a partnership between the school, student, employer, and EarnLearn.

Schools identify suitable students and coordinate placements

Employers provide supervision and meaningful workplace tasks

EarnLearn supplies assessments, learning resources, and marking

Students complete assessed workplace activities aligned to NCEA standards

EarnLearn manages the assessment and quality assurance process, reducing administrative pressure on school staff.

Learning & skills

Gateway students develop both trade-specific and employability skills, preparing them for future training or work.

Students may learn to:

Work safely on site and follow health and safety requirements

Use tools, materials, and equipment correctly

Follow instructions, drawings, and job specifications

Communicate professionally in a workplace

Build reliability, confidence, and work readiness

Learning is hands-on and grounded in real workplace contexts.

EarnLearn currently offers Gateway programmes in:

Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying (PGD)

Students gain exposure to plumbing systems, gasfitting environments, and drainlaying concepts, building an understanding of how these trades work together on site.

See PGD Pathway →

Electrical

Students experience electrical work environments, learning foundational safety practices, basic principles, and workplace expectations aligned to the electrical apprenticeship pathway.

Gateway helps students decide whether a trade pathway is right for them before committing to full training.

See Electrical Pathway →

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How it works

How Gateway works

A clear, school-friendly process that makes it easy to get started and keeps students on track.

1

Confirm participation

Schools confirm participation in EarnLearn’s Gateway programme by signing an MOU. This confirms roles, responsibilities, and ensures the programme is delivered in line with Gateway and NCEA requirements.

Once confirmed, EarnLearn provides guidance on next steps and programme setup.

2

Place students into Gateway

The school’s Gateway Coordinator or Careers Advisor identifies suitable Year 11–13 students and confirms host employers.

Students are registered for Gateway through EarnLearn, with enrolment forms completed by the student and school. EarnLearn then prepares assessments and learning resources for the placement.

3

Workplace learning & assessment

Students attend their scheduled days on site, gaining real workplace experience while completing Gateway learning tasks.

EarnLearn assessors review verified on-job evidence, mark assessments, and report achieved credits to NZQA, ensuring compliance and quality assurance throughout the programme.

Supporting all parties

Gateway support for students, schools, and employers

EarnLearn works with schools, employers, and students to deliver Gateway programmes that combine real workplace experience with structured, quality-assured assessment. We provide clear expectations, practical resources, and ongoing support so everyone involved understands their role and students can succeed.

Interested in specialist trades?

Get in touch with our team today to learn how you can get involved, or download the Gateway Information Flyer for more details.

Gateway Flyer →

For careers advisors and schools

Access our Teachers’ Manual for guidance on supporting students through the Gateway programme.

Teacher Manual →

To enrol a student

Complete the Gateway Enrolment & Resource Purchase Form and send it to registrations@earnlearn-tepukenga.ac.nz.

Enrolment & Resource Form →

For employers

Invite a student to experience your industry — download the Employers’ Brochure to learn how it works.

Employer Brochure →
Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support Over 6,000 apprentices supported Thousands of partnered employers NZ-wide support
different trade pathways

Choose your pathway

Explore EarnLearn Gateway programmes by trade and pathway type. Our programmes are built around real workplace learning, supported by structured assessment and guidance from people who understand the trades.

Electrical

From home energy systems to industrial automation and renewable technology, Electrical Gateway offers a versatile, future-proof trade.

  • Work ranges from wiring homes to working on wind turbines or super yachts.
  • Unit standards cover electrical safety, tool use, motor/generator knowledge, and health & safety legislation.

 

Unit Standards (20 Credits Total)

Unit StandardDescriptionLevelCredits
30264Describe duties, rights, representation and the regulator in terms of New Zealand health and safety legislation33
3490Complete an incident report12
4249Describe obligations as an employee13
30692Perform basic calculations used in a given trade situation22
30658Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental electrical safety in the workplace22
16407Use and maintain hand and power tools for electrical work33
1178Follow safe practices in an electrical workplace23
29470Demonstrate knowledge of electric motor and generator construction and operation32

Plumbing, Gasfitting, Drainlaying

Hands-on problem solving, mechanical systems, residential and commercial environments. Highly in-demand nationwide.

  • Tasks include installing hot water systems, gas appliances, drainage pipes, and roofing.
  • Includes unit standards on health & safety, calculations, asbestos safety, and trade-specific knowledge.
  • Students may require a Trainee Limited Certificate (TLC) to carry out restricted work. EarnLearn provides guidance on this requirement while the TLC application is completed by the host employer.

 

Unit Standards (20 Credits Total)

Unit StandardDescriptionLevelCredits
30264Describe duties, rights, representation and the regulator in terms of New Zealand health and safety legislation33
3490Complete an incident report12
4249Describe obligations as an employee13
30692Perform basic calculations used in a given trade situation22
30658Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental electrical safety in the workplace22
497Demonstrate knowledge of workplace health and safety requirements13
21883Demonstrate knowledge of working in gas contaminated environments in plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying23
30596Demonstrate knowledge of asbestos and safety measures for asbestos-related work32
 
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions for Gateway

Quick answers for schools interested in EarnLearn’s Gateway programme. 

Gateway is ideal for students who are curious about the trades, reliable, and ready for real hands-on experience. They don’t need prior skills – just interest, initiative, and the ability to turn up prepared each week.

To be eligible for Gateway, students must:

Be a domestic student (as defined under the Education and Training Act 2020)

Be enrolled at a State, State-integrated or charter secondary school

Be in Year 11 or above 

Not be paid for their Gateway placement.

A minimum of 10-days, usually one day per week across 10 weeks (as agreed with school and employer). 

The school typically finds and confirms a suitable employer. If you need support or guidance, our Gateway team can help connect you with employers familiar with hosting students.

Yes – all Gateway units carry NZQA credits. Students can gain up to 20 NZEA credits, which are reported to NZQA by EarnLearn once competency is confirmed.

$250 +GST per student, funded through your school’s Gateway fund. This covers all learning resources, assessment booklets, assessor support and moderation.

Yes – many students progress to apprenticeships after building strong relationships with their host employer.

GET In touch

Talk to us about Gateway

Whether you’re a school coordinating Gateway placements, an employer hosting students, or a student exploring a trade pathway, we’ll help you understand how Gateway works and confirm the right next steps.

EarnLearn supports Gateway programmes that provide real workplace experience while meeting Gateway and NCEA requirements.

Confirm Gateway eligibility and programme options

Understand placement, assessment, and reporting requirements

Get clear guidance to support students through workplace learning

Send an enquiry

Share a few details and we will point you to the right next step.

Tip: If you’re a school, please include the number of students and preferred placement period.

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Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm: 0800 327 648 (0800 EARN IT)

support@earnlearn.ac.nz

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