Ready for a real job - not ready to leave school?
The Top of the South Trades Academy is opening doors for students like you, who want to stay at school but are ready to start training for a real job.
If you’re accepted into the Trades Academy, you’ll be able to stay at school completing NCEA, while at the same time working towards a qualification in a trade of your choice.
Practical and hands-on
Trades Academy training is practical and hands-on and there are lots of options to choose from. You can learn anything from mechanical engineering and aquaculture, to hairdressing and hospitality. You’ll learn heaps of useful skills to help you go on to further study or get a job right out of school. The best part is, it’s free!
Training is either one day a week at one of the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology’s (NMIT) campuses in Richmond, Nelson and Blenheim; or in residential blocks at Whenua Iti Outdoors. We also have training at two hubs based at Queen Charlotte College and Nayland College.
Upcoming Events!
Grass Kart Competitions: Thursday 26th Oct, Tapawera Area School
The annual competition where our students in Nelson's Mechanical Engineering and Automotive programmes have the opportunity to race their karts and pit their skills against students from other schools around the district. Parents & supporters are welcome!
Awards Ceremony: Marlborough 26th Oct NMIT Blenheim & Nelson 27th Oct, Old St Johns Church, Hardy St, Nelson
These end of year ceremonies celebrate the achievements of all our TOTSTA students. Parents and whanau are welcome and encouraged to attend.
- Download Invite Nelson Awards Ceremony
- Download Invite Blenheim Awards Ceremony
This video features some of our recent students talking about their experiences taking part in Trades Academy.
Read the personal accounts of our graduates and current students.
We have a great range of practical and hands-on courses.