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CATE Report - March 2006

MANAWATU BRANCH CATE AGM 9 MARCH 2006

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

The past year has been like a “game of two halves” played over the year. Firstly there have been the usual work issues of trying to meeting student needs within constraints of time and funding, managing assessment, and coping with the demands of our schools.

Secondly, there have been some new things happening for some of us at the same time namely, the Designing Careers Pilot and the appointment of a STAR advisor. Each of these things has both added to and/or enhanced what we do – depending on your point of view.

This region of CATE began 2005 with a meeting in March at which Steve Maharey spoke with us informally and answered a range of questions covering Gateway, OSH. STAR, Designing Careers, Careers hours, PTEs, Youth Transitions Service, the local Careers Expo, NCEA, trades/apprenticeship training and costs of providing careers information.

We met again in May at Caccia Birch. The main concern was lack of communication regarding the Manawatu Careers Expo. Pam informed us of the conference call Exec. Meeting which discussed the STAR audit procedures. Rhondda raised concern at the cancellation of UCOL STAR Forestry and Retail courses.

On October 6 we met at the Elm Café to farewell Dorothy Mackay, Horowhenua College, Levin who was retiring after many years service to careers and transition education and to CATE at both regional and national level. Dorothy’s wisdom and vast knowledge will be sorely missed. We were pleased to have two previous CATE members, Vanessa Farrelly and Anne Grimmer attend on that occasion. Anne suggested we might like to combine with the Wellington region for a meeting in 2006.

In November a small group met after a STAR day at Awanui, College of Education. Pam Murray presented a report from Conference and our guest speaker was Sam Moore – newly appointed through Vision Manawatu to act as a Trades Mentor. His job is to promote trades careers and assist students to make the transition from school to apprenticeships.

2006 sees further changes to STAR, a continuation of the Designing Careers Pilot, update of the Kiwicareers website, introduction of the Careers Kete, and Gateway in Decile 6 schools. To address the impact of these and other issues as CATE members, I would like to suggest the formation of a small planning group who would decide on the frequency, timing and venues for meetings and draw up a programme which would be published in advance to all members. I hope this will see the continuation of a strong, supportive branch in this region.

Rhondda Berg