Free courses for youth

At Lakeland Learning, we offer a number of free courses all of which provide credits towards your NCEA. So whether you are looking to complete NCEA level 1 or 2 or to progress from one of our programmes to Level 3, we've got you covered.

To be eligible for our free courses, you must be aged 16-24 at the time of enrolment. Students aged 15½ may be accepted on a case by case basis, and with an Early Leaving Exemption. You must not have completed NCEA Level 2 or an equivalent qualification. 

The level 3 programme has limited places and preference is given to students who have already completed a level 1 and/or level 2 programme at Lakeland Learning. 

So what can we help with? Take a look at our courses below...

Foundation skills / NCEA Level 1

This programme provides you with 60 credits towards NCEA Level 1, including all the credits you need for your NCEA literacy and numeracy. Once you have completed the 60 credits, you will be awarded the New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills, Level 1. At this stage you will progress on to one of our two Level 2 programmes, which will provide you with the remaining credits you need to be awarded NCEA Level 1.

NCEA Level 2

You have a choice of two courses at this level, both of which provide you with the credits you need to achieve NCEA Level 2.

You may choose to study a stand alone NCEA with the Service Industries Vocational Pathways Endorsement, or alternatively a 60 credit course leading to NCEA and The New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills at Level 2.

If you choose to study NCEA with the Service Industries Vocational Pathway Endorsement, your study will focus on travel and tourism, retail and customer service, and business. 

If you choose to study NCEA alongside the New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills at Level 2, you will undertake a research project that develops your reading, research, speaking, report writing, and computer skills, along with numeracy skills that are developed within the context of personal financial literacy.

Tourism / NCEA level 3

At Level 3 we offer the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism, which provides you with 60 credits that can also be used to achieve your NCEA Level 3.

This course covers all the foundation skills required in travel and tourism. Work experience is a necessary component, unless you are already working in the tourism industry, and you are expected to complete self-directed study.

This programme has limited places and preference is given to students who have already completed a level 1 and/or level 2 programme at Lakeland Learning. 

Our Level 3 programme is proudly supported by Wairakei Resort, Taupo.

What our students do next....

As students complete their programmes of study with us, we work with them to figure out what their future direction might be. We have a qualified career advisor on site who can help with this, free of charge. We also make sure students have a quality CV.

Once finished, our students typically gain employment, progress to polytechnic or university, join the forces, or secure apprenticeships.