Year 12 and 13 pupils from Alexandra and Roxburgh had a day of workshops on Monday to prepare them for life after high school, at the biennial Adulting 101 classes run by Puna Rangatahi.
Puna Rangatahi manager Deb Drake said the event was an initiative of the Central Otago Youth Council, which had originally identified a need for skills as pupils left high school and moved into further studies, vocational training or the workforce.
The classes were a mandatory part of the school curriculum, and transport was provided for the Roxburgh pupils.
Workshops covered self-defence, financial and real estate advice, employability skills, car maintenance, physical wellbeing and mindfulness.
GoHort career progression manager Chelsea Donnelly talked with attendees about the range of careers available within the horticulture industry.
‘‘It’s just showing them the opportunities beyond picking fruit for the summer,’’ she said.
The Central Otago District Council also had staff at the event to showcase the many different jobs under the council umbrella.
Information services cadet Hayden McLennan said tertiary study was required for professions such as engineering and accounting, but roles such as his could be learned on the job.
Dunstan High School pupil Neve Spooner (18) said she found the workshops interesting, especially the real estate and banking talks.
