Zero fee offerings pique mid-year interest at Ara

A new zero fees initiative at Ara Institute of Canterbury is being welcomed by learners and industry leaders who say it could be a game changer for people wanting to get started in construction, engineering and computing.

The offer, available for a limited time for selected pathway certificates, removes tuition fees and the student levy for eligible domestic learners beginning study in July. The goal is to open doors into sectors facing significant skills shortages across Canterbury.

The initiative has seen traffic to Ara’s website double in recent weeks and saw queues at the institute’s recent mid-year Get Set enrolment event which supports students looking for on-the-spot study solutions.

_{(Left) Already studying at Ara, Gala Marilla says zero fees removes a huge barrier to study.} 

Current learner Gala Marilla said the zero fees option removed one of the biggest barriers for people trying to take their first steps.

"For a lot of us, cost is the thing that stops you before you even start. Knowing you can get into pathways such as IT without the fees makes it feel possible. It gives people a real chance to move forward," they said.

Industry agrees. John Stamps, Group Learning and Development Manager at Isaac Construction, said demand for skilled workers in Canterbury was fierce.
"Our recruitment board has been full for over a year. Skilled construction staff are at a premium and if we find someone good we have to move quickly."

He said entry level pathways were critical to keeping businesses moving, but a gap existed between people's ambitions and their readiness for higher level study.

"I get lots of people saying they want to study civil engineering, but when they look at the diploma or degree, the prospect is too overwhelming. These zero fees certificates give people the chance to upskill and get themselves ready for high-value study to change the direction of their career pathways."

Removing financial barriers, he said, could reach people who had previously ruled themselves out.

"I see it as a huge opportunity for anyone who has ever thought they wanted to be a civil engineer but that dream was unattainable. It’s ideal for anyone changing careers and young people wanting to futureproof their career pathways with higher earning options."

Ara's Manager for Regional Engagement and Success, Leonie Rasmussen, said the initiative was designed to support people who want a practical, confidence-building pathway into work or higher-level study.

"These free certificates give learners structure, support and a clear progression into areas where Canterbury genuinely needs skilled people. This is not about studying because you can't get a job - it's about choosing a pathway that keeps your options open," she said.

The eligible programmes include Level 3 and Level 4 certificates in engineering, construction, architecture and ICT as well as the New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology Essentials.

All are designed as stepping stones into higher-level qualifications such as the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering, New Zealand Diploma in Construction and the Bachelor of Information and Communication Technologies.

Rasmussen says learners can progress from a free certificate to a diploma or degree in as little as three to four years, depending on their pathway. With Canterbury's manufacturing, construction and tech sectors all reporting rising job vacancies, she said the timing was right.

"If we can remove the financial barrier and help learners build confidence, that benefits the whole region."

The zero fees offer applies only to new domestic applications received from 25 May for eligible Semester Two programmes. Spaces are limited.

More information can be found here: Start with Zero Fees at Ara.