CROMWELL, 30 July 2026
More than 150 secondary school students from across the Central Lakes region will visit Otago Polytechnic’s Cromwell campus on Friday for a practical open day focused on vocational education, trades and future career pathways.
The event, called Camp Inspire, will bring together Year 11 to Year 13 students from five regional secondary schools and allow them to experience several trade-based programmes through hands-on activities.
The open day will be held at Otago Polytechnic’s Central Campus on Bannockburn Road in Cromwell from 10.15 am until midday on Friday, 31 July.
Students will rotate through different areas of the campus, meet teaching staff and learn more about programmes available through the Otago Secondary Tertiary College, commonly known as OSTC.
Students to experience trades first-hand
Camp Inspire is designed to give secondary school students a realistic introduction to vocational and tertiary education while they are still deciding what to do after school.
The visiting students will be introduced to programmes in Automotive Engineering, Beauty Therapy, Hospitality, Building and Construction, and Horticulture.
Rather than simply listening to presentations, students will be divided into groups and move between different areas of the campus every 15 minutes.
Each station will include practical activities intended to show what learning and working in that industry may involve.
The students will also receive information about the skills, knowledge and qualifications required in each field.
This will allow them to compare different options and consider whether a particular trade or vocational pathway matches their interests and long-term career goals.
Open day offers early insight into career pathways
Nicola Hansen, Team Leader for the Otago Secondary Tertiary College programme, said the event would give students a first-hand view of the facilities, courses and learning opportunities available at Otago Polytechnic.
The OSTC trade academy enables secondary school students to take part in vocational and tertiary learning while remaining enrolled at school.
The programme is intended to help students explore possible apprenticeships, qualifications, further study and employment pathways before they leave secondary education.
Hansen said Camp Inspire also provided Otago Polytechnic with an important opportunity to engage directly with prospective learners.
“From Otago Polytechnic’s perspective, Camp Inspire provides an important opportunity to engage with prospective students, better understand their career aspirations, and identify emerging pathway interests,” Hansen said.
“This helps ensure our programme offerings continue to align with the needs and ambitions of young people in the region.”
Vocational education growing in Central Otago
Otago Polytechnic says its OSTC programmes are attracting strong participation from schools across the region.
Around 200 secondary school students attend the Cromwell campus each week to take part in trade-based learning.
The level of participation shows that many students are looking for practical alternatives or additions to traditional classroom-based education.
“The strong level of participation reflects the growing demand for vocational education, and highlights the significant value these programmes provide to both students and the wider Central Otago community,” Hansen said.
For students who already have an interest in trades, the programmes can provide a clearer understanding of what a future apprenticeship or qualification may involve.
For others, the experience may introduce them to industries they had not previously considered.
Connecting education with regional workforce needs
Trade academies can also help address workforce needs by giving young people earlier exposure to industries where skilled workers are required.
Automotive engineering, construction, hospitality, horticulture and beauty therapy all offer different employment and training pathways.
Many of these industries rely on practical skills that are developed through workshops, supervised training and workplace experience.
By introducing students to these areas before they leave school, programmes such as OSTC can help them make better-informed decisions about apprenticeships, tertiary study and employment.
The approach may also help local employers by encouraging more young people to train in industries that support the Central Otago economy.
Government investment welcomed
Hansen said she was pleased to see the Government recognising the value of trade academies and vocational education.
A funding increase announced in this year’s Budget is expected to provide additional funded places over the next three years.
“It’s particularly encouraging to see the Government’s commitment to expanding vocational education, through the provision of additional funded places over the next three years,” she said.
“This investment recognises the important role vocational pathways play in developing a skilled workforce and aligns with the increasing demand for trade-based learning opportunities.”
The additional funding is expected to allow more students to access vocational programmes while still at school.
It may also help education providers respond to growing interest in practical learning and improve links between schools, tertiary institutions and employers.
A practical alternative for senior students
For some students, the traditional academic pathway through university remains the preferred option.
Others may be more interested in learning through practical projects, technical training or industry-based experience.
Vocational programmes can allow students to test those interests before committing to a full qualification or apprenticeship.
They can also help students understand the expectations of particular industries, including the technical knowledge, safety requirements, communication skills and work habits involved.
Camp Inspire aims to provide that exposure in a short but practical format.
By moving through several programme areas, students will be able to compare different industries rather than focusing on only one career option.
Supporting better decisions before leaving school
Career decisions made during the final years of secondary school can influence a young person’s study, training and employment choices for several years.
Events such as Camp Inspire give students an opportunity to ask questions directly, view facilities and take part in practical tasks before making those decisions.
Teachers and careers advisers can also use the experience to continue conversations with students about suitable pathways.
Otago Polytechnic says the open day will help students better understand both the opportunities and the requirements connected with vocational education.
For some, Friday’s visit may confirm an existing ambition to enter a trade.
For others, it may be the first step towards considering an apprenticeship, certificate or diploma they had not previously known about.
Camp Inspire event details
Camp Inspire will take place on Friday, 31 July, from 10.15am until midday.
The event will be held at Otago Polytechnic’s Central Campus, located at 11 Bannockburn Road in Cromwell.
More than 150 students from five secondary schools across the Central Lakes region are expected to attend.
The open day will feature information sessions and practical activities across Automotive Engineering, Beauty Therapy, Hospitality, Building and Construction, and Horticulture.
With vocational education continuing to attract strong interest, Otago Polytechnic hopes the event will help more young people identify realistic and rewarding study and career options close to home.
