Findmypath Frequently Asked Questions

1. FindMyPath Frequently asked questions

2. What is FindMyPath? FindMyPath is an online tool that can be used to help plan employment and qualification pathways. The tool enables you to:  search for jobs  explore qualifications  identify next steps using current qualifications  explore the Vocational Pathways1  identify appropriate entry and exit points across different levels of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework

See http://youthguarantee.net.nz/resources/mapping-tool

3. Who is FindMyPath for? FindMyPath is for anyone who wants to explore their qualification and employment pathways. It is suitable for all ages who are interested in exploring what to study and the jobs you can get as you progress from Level 3 qualifications onwards.

4. How does FindMyPath work? FindMyPath matches information about qualifications pathways leading to specific jobs aligned to the Vocational Pathways. With FindMyPath, you can:

 explore a range of qualification pathways that will show you the kinds of job(s) that those qualifications lead to

 explore the range of jobs in the Vocational Pathways, by clicking on particular pathways on the home page

 click on particular qualifications and/or jobs and identify the pathways that you might want to consider to get to your ideal occupation or job as well as be able to identify other qualifications that may take you down a different pathway

 add a qualification you already have by using the grey +add your qualifications button and this information will be added and highlighted as you explore the FindMyPath tool. This information will show on the tool if accessed by the same device, even if the browser session is closed and reopened

 find out which organisations offer specific qualifications at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nzqf/search/results.do and search for a particular qualification

 find additional information from the CareersNZ and Occupation Outlook websites about particular jobs

1 Vocational Pathways provide a framework from which to align education to six broad industry categories. Further information can be found on http://youthguarantee.net.nz/vocational-pathways/  search directly for particular qualifications or jobs by clicking on the grey Search for qualifications or Search for jobs buttons at the top of the page.

For optimal viewing, it is recommended that FindMyPath is viewed in Google Chrome.

5. How will FindMyPath help me to make decisions about the type of job to go for? Can this tool help me make decisions about jobs that I don’t know about? If you know the qualifications you would like to pursue or are interested in, you can search for them and see where they might lead you. You can use the NZQA website to see which tertiary providers offer the qualifications you are interested in. If you know the job or occupation that you are interested in, you can search for it, and see what qualifications you may need for that job, and then search for tertiary providers that offer them through the NZQA website.

If the job is not listed, then you could explore the jobs that are listed in each Vocational Pathway or have a look at the Occupation Outlook tool or CareersNZ website.

You can also go to the NZQA website and download a Careers Brochure.

6. What can I do if FindMyPath does not have the job I am looking for? If the job is not listed, then you could explore the jobs that are listed in each Vocational Pathway or have a look at the Occupation Outlook tool or CareersNZ website. You can also go to the NZQA website and download a Careers Brochure. The jobs listed in FindMyPath are limited to the qualifications that are in the tool. This is because the jobs and qualifications are linked and this is how the mapping has been carried out. As more New Zealand qualifications are registered, more jobs will show on FindMyPath.

7. Why doesn't FindMyPath have the qualification I am looking for? FindMyPath maps all New Zealand qualifications registered up to February 2016 and does not include local or national qualifications. This is because local and national qualifications are being reviewed and will either expire or be replaced by New Zealand Qualifications. FindMyPath will be updated next year to include qualifications registered for the remainder of 2016. These updates will continue on an annual basis.

If you want to find out about a local or national qualification not listed on the tool, then go to http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nzqf/search/results.do

8. How will FindMyPath help me to decide which qualifications I might want to study? FindMyPath has mapped all New Zealand qualifications to the jobs they relate to in the Vocational Pathways. You can explore qualification pathways from Level 3 to Level 7 and view information about each qualification. The picture below shows you what levels the qualifications are on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. For more information about qualifications go to the following link on the NZQA website: http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/studying-in-new-zealand/tertiary-education/choosing-a-tertiary- qualification

9. How do I know what school or tertiary subjects/courses I should take so that I can progress to one of the qualifications shown on FindMyPath? It is advisable at NCEA Levels 1 and 2 to keep your options open and include maths, science and English in your programmes. If you know the Vocational Pathway you would like to head along, then you might want to consider choosing other subjects/standards/courses that will lead to a Level 2 Vocational Pathways Award.

If you are not sure have a closer look at the jobs in the Vocational Pathways, the Occupation Outlook tool and CareersNZ to get an idea of what jobs may interest you. This will give you a better idea of what you may need to study.

For NCEA Level 3, you might begin to specialise and include working towards one of the qualifications listed in FindMyPath. To see if there are any entry requirements into these more specialised qualifications, you will need to look at the requirements that specific providers expect you to meet.

10. How do I know where to study? If you identify the qualification you are interested in, you can go to the NZQA website and search for the organisations that offer this qualification. It is then important to do some research on that organisation to establish if it the place you want to go to and study. Look at the organisation’s website, talk to friends, family and teachers. 11. What are the Levels that are listed on FindMyPath? New Zealand qualifications are listed on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF). This includes NCEA. NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3 are at NZQF Levels 1, 2 and 3. There are a number of other types of qualifications listed on the NZQF. These are shown in the diagram below. NZQF Levels, Qualifications and who can offer by level and qualification

NZQF L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8 L9 L10 LEVEL

Doctoral (PhD) degrees s

n Masters degrees o i t

a Bachelors with Honours, Postgraduate certificates and diplomas c i f i l Bachelors degrees, Graduate Certificates and Diplomas a u

Q Diplomas Certificates and Foundation programmes Universities

s Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics n o i t

u Wānanga t i t s Privates Training Establishments n I Secondary Schools

12. Can I go directly from NCEA Level 3 to degree level (Level 7)? Yes, you can. Degree level study is available in New Zealand Universities, Institutes of Technology, Wānanga and Private Training Establishments. Should you wish to undertake degree level study at a New Zealand university, there are University Entrance requirements to consider. Details of these requirements can be found on the NZQA website at: http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications- standards/awards/university-entrance. Other tertiary organisations have additional entry requirements for degree level programmes so it is important to look at their individual entry requirements.

13. Can I save my search on FindMyPath for later? No, currently there is no save function. If you enter a qualification that you have already achieved on the +add a qualification button, it will remember this information if you access the website from the same device. If there is any other information you would like to go back to on FindMyPath, copy the links or screenshot it and save it somewhere.

14. Where can I get more information? There are a few websites and Apps that you may find useful to explore further:  www.YouthGuarantee.net.nz – Vocational Pathways  www.Careers.govt.nz  www.NZQA.govt.nz  http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/employment-skills/labour-market- reports/occupation-outlook  http://www.tec.govt.nz/Learners-Organisations/Learners/About-the-key-information- set-/  My Blueprint (App) – available through the iTunes store and Google Play. If you have any feedback you would like to provide about FindMyPath, email [email protected].