A strong foundation for career success

Proud whānau, supportive lecturers and excited students came together last night to celebrate the completion of the Tertiary Foundation Certificate (TFC) Education and Social Work pathway for 2019.

The 2019 TFC Education and Social Work pathway students celebrate the end of a year's hard work.

Former foundation student Lauren Bailey shared how the TFC helped her transition from missing out on University Entrance, to becoming an honours graduate with a Bachelor of Education (Teaching).

“Seven years ago, I was incredibly disheartened when I found out my uni application had been rejected due to missing the University Entrance pre-requisite, after falling behind while on overseas exchange,” says Lauren. “But I was offered a place in the Foundation Certificate and it was honestly the best thing that could’ve occurred. It increased my confidence and gave me the motivation to work hard and complete my bachelors and honours degrees.”

Former foundation and Bachelor of Education (Teaching) student Lauren Bailey.

She credits the foundation certificate for the academic writing, referencing and researching skills that allowed her to succeed in her degree.

“I had also established strong relationships with my peers and lecturers, and I knew all about the campus, support systems available and the expectations of the university."

Lauren is now a research programme coordinator, helping academic staff to submit funding proposals for research projects at the Faculty of Education and Social Work.

“My advice to students who didn’t get the high school grades they wanted is don’t give up hope! The foundation programme was an amazing experience for me, and I still use a lot of the skills I learnt from it in my job now.”

Completing student Toina Selu spoke about how the tight-knit group has supported each other throughout the ups and downs of the year.

TFC student Toina Selu.

“I’m so incredibly proud of everyone here,” Toina says. “I’ve seen a lot of hard work, sorrow and wanting from my fellow students, who always tried their hardest and put all their efforts into everything. Now we know what success looks and feels like, nothing can stop us.

“I couldn’t be more thankful to our lecturers. It’s clear that teaching is more than just a job to them; they genuinely want to see us succeed and push ourselves.”

Completing the TFC will allow the students to enrol in a bachelors degree next year with a head start – existing knowledge, connections and an understanding of how the University works.  

The TFC programme supports the University’s belief that anyone capable of studying at tertiary level should be given that opportunity. The Education and Social Work Pathway, offered at Epsom, Tai Tokerau and South Auckland campuses, prepares students to enter the Bachelor of Education (Teaching), Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Education.