Career advisors play a pivotal role in shaping the future pathways of rangatahi (young people) in our secondary schools and kura.
MIT and Unitec hosted more than ninety career advisors from across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland at the Manukau, Ōtara and Tech Park campuses on 4 March and Mt Albert campus on 11 March.
The Career Advisors Update Days were an opportunity for career advisors to strengthen their connections with us and gain the latest insights into future pathways for their learners.
They met with kaimahi (staff) from MIT and Unitec to learn about programme offerings, explore campus facilities and hear about the provider now as a single entity.
The events were designed to ensure that those supporting secondary school students have up-to-date information about tertiary pathways and opportunities, particularly as the MIT and Unitec integration progresses.
MIT and Unitec Executive Director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga provided an organisational update saying a unified MIT and Unitec offers broader programme options, enhanced learner support, deeper industry connections and a regionally focused approach designed specifically for Auckland.
“We’re continuing to strengthen our relationships with schools, families and communities across the region,” Peseta says.
Career advisors were taken on guided tours of teaching and learning spaces and heard directly from our kaimahi about the range of study options available across both institutions. The sessions also created space for open discussions, questions and networking.
Blair Sorensen, Secondary School and Community Senior Liaison, says the event was an opportunity to reconnect with schools and strengthen relationships.
“We had just over 50 secondary school careers staff attending from across the Auckland region,” Blair says.
“The purpose of the day was to reconnect our secondary schools’ careers staff to Unitec, provide an update on the MIT and Unitec organisation, inform them about our range of programmes, and create an open space for responding to any queries.”
Sorensen also highlighted the role of kaimahi in supporting school communities.
“I am continually impressed by how fantastic our Unitec school staff are and their commitment to ensuring that our secondary school communities are well supported. The engagement from careers staff on the day was outstanding, and the feedback from schools has been overwhelmingly positive.”
At the Manukau-hosted sessions, Pathways Manager Rahera Tupaea said the day focused on strengthening partnerships with key secondary school stakeholders while showcasing the benefits of the combined organisation.
“The purpose of the day was to update our secondary school stakeholders on the MIT–Unitec integration, highlight the benefits of our combined organisation and provide an opportunity for them to hear directly from our Heads of Schools and Academic Leads about our range of student pathway options,” she said.
Tupaea said the events were highly interactive, with around 40 careers advisors attending the Manukau session.
“It provided an excellent opportunity to network and to showcase our programmes, facilities and the strong staff culture across our campuses,” Rahera says.
Kaimahi from the Schools and Community teams worked together to host the events, reflecting the increasingly collaborative approach at MIT and Unitec.
For career advisors guiding the next generation of learners, the update days offered valuable insight into how MIT and Unitec as one organisation will expand opportunities for students across the region.
