Gateway

Gateway

Last updated 25 March 2025
Last updated 25 March 2025

Gateway funding enables secondary State, State-integrated and charter schools to give senior learners opportunities to access quality, structured workplace learning that is integrated with school-based learning. 

Gateway funding supports school learners’ transition into the workforce by offering them workplace learning while at secondary school. Schools may use Gateway funding for a programme of study, training or a micro-credential.

Through Gateway, learners are assessed in the workplace and can achieve credits, which may align to one or more Vocational Pathways, towards their National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) or other qualifications on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).

There is no cost to learners who participate in Gateway and learners must not be paid while undertaking a Gateway workplace learning placement.

Vocational Pathways

We encourage schools to align their Gateway programmes, where appropriate, to one or more of the following six Vocational Pathways:

  • Construction and Infrastructure
  • Creative Industries
  • Manufacturing and Technology
  • Primary Industries
  • Services Industries
  • Social and Community Services.

For more information about Vocational Pathways, and tools to design programmes and help learners to plan their future careers, see Vocational Pathways – Ministry of Education.

Resources

Key resources for schools include:

Other resources include: 

School responsibilities

Schools must comply with all administrative requirements we specify, including reporting requirements in the Gateway Handbook.

For more information on schools’ responsibilities, see the Gateway funding conditions for the relevant year.

Funding conditions

To receive Gateway funding, schools must comply with the funding conditions for the relevant year.

Eligibility

For the Gateway fund eligibility requirements for schools, programmes and learners, see the funding conditions for the relevant year.