Our Career Foundations offering consists of a Level 2 New Zealand Certificate in Foundational Skills. It is for 16–24 year olds who want practical direction for their future. This qualification provides hands-on exposure to real industries like healthcare, hospitality, cookery, hairdressing, nail tech, business and more. It allows students to discover what genuinely interests them and builds essential life skills that open pathways to further training or employment.
Career Foundations
If you're 16–24 and not sure what's next, this is your starting point. Explore a variety of in-demand industries, build skills, discover what clicks and find your pathway forward.
Why choose us for your Career Foundation learning?
Skills Institute's Career Foundations course builds essential workplace skills through practical, hands-on learning.
Real career exposure
Learn by doing in authentic vocational environments like commercial kitchens, healthcare settings, salons and hospitality scenarios.
Industry-connected learning
Your tutors are experienced professionals from industries that are always hiring. They bring real-world insight into what employers need and how to get there.
Opens doors to future training
Your launchpad to further training - step directly into Level 3 qualifications across healthcare, cookery, hospitality, business, hairdressing and nail tech. One course unlocks multiple career pathways.
Featured Career Foundations course
This is the start of your education and career journey.
Career Foundations FAQs
Your questions about our Career Foundations pathway answered - who is eligible, what the course entails and why you should choose Skills Institute.
What is Career Foundations?
What makes Career Foundations at Skills Institute different?
Unlike traditional foundation programmes that focus on generic study skills, our Career Foundations qualification is built around real career exposure. Learning happens in vocational environments and is guided by tutors who are working industry professionals. This isn't about catching up on missed schooling - it's about discovering which career pathway is the right fit and building the practical skills to get there.
Who is eligible to enrol?
Career Foundations is open to 16–24 year-olds (or 15-year-olds with a Ministry of Education exemption). It's designed for those who are looking for something more practical than traditional schooling, don't hold a qualification higher than Level 1, want to explore career options before committing to a specific path, or prefer hands-on learning over classroom theory.
What support is provided during the programme?
Learners receive personalised support throughout their 20-week journey. This includes guidance from experienced tutors, help with goal-setting and pathway planning, support with literacy and numeracy development where needed, and assistance transitioning into Level 3 qualifications. The learning environment is designed to be supportive and collaborative.
How much does it cost and what funding is available?
Career Foundations is available with zero fees for eligible 16–24 year-olds through Youth Guarantee funding. This means no tuition costs - learners can explore career pathways, build skills and gain NZQA-approved credits without financial barriers. Contact Skills Institute to confirm eligibility and discuss available start dates.