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Welcome to The EmployNZ Blog

At EmployNZ, we believe education works best when learners are supported both inside and outside the classroom. This blog is designed to keep parents, caregivers, secondary school representatives, and other external stakeholders informed about what’s happening across our training programmes.

Here you’ll find stories of learner success, updates on courses and support services, and practical information to help you connect your students with the right opportunities. We also share event highlights, community initiatives, and useful resources that show how EmployNZ helps people build real skills for work and life.

Vocational Pathways and your Learner

Choosing the right path after school can feel overwhelming for young people and their families. Vocational Pathways provide a clear framework that links NCEA qualifications to the entry level skills and knowledge sought after by employers and training providers.

Worried about your 15-year-old teen leaving school before they turn 16, before they have NCEA?

Perhaps you are wondering if your 15-year-old would be better off leaving school and getting a job, or studying elsewhere? Leaving school, a year early does not define who our young people can become. Many teens leave school early and move into apprenticeships and gain their qualifications on the job. Some decide to continue their study with a tertiary education provider.

How to get an Early Leaving Exemption (ELX) for your 15 year old

An Early Leaving Exemption (ELX) is an approval from the Ministry of Education for your 15 year old child to be exempt from enrolment at a school. The process is designed for those young people who need to leave school before the age of 16, which is the age they are required to be engaged with compulsory education.