Adams-Noda and participant Levi Hersey, Bay of Abundant Times and shared their story with Labor leader Chris Hipkins and Labor education spokesman Jan Tinetti at the academy on 7 November.

‘It gives me something to do all day’

After elementary school, Adams-Noda said, she no longer found school interesting. He left school in the 9th grade.

He first participated in the IBA program at the age of 16. He returned for the second time this year because he felt more “ready” and mature.

Adams-Noda said the “wonderful” program means she feels respected and valued.

“It gets me away from home, gives me something to do all day… I’ve made new friends and I’ll probably stay with them after the course…”

The self-described “hands-on worker” said he wanted to be a tradesman.

The program had also inspired her to make a life for herself, become financially and mentally stable, eventually own her own home, and perhaps have children.

‘A big family’

Hersey, 18, enrolled in the IBA program because she didn’t have much support at home.

He achieved NCEA Level 3 but sometimes went to school in a bad mood, argued with teachers, was bullied and was suspended from school.

“There were so many issues and things I needed to talk about that I had never been able to talk about with people in my life.”

He was “a little wary” about IBA at first, but he started to get to know everyone.

They were now “a big family”.

He described the academy as “a place far from home and my difficulties.”

Visiting businesses helps them understand what they do or don’t want to do for the business, Hersey said.

He wanted to be a firefighter because he loved helping and protecting people.

First, Hersey will embark on a two-year Latter Day Saints mission abroad.

‘They are not alone in their war’

Bay of Plenty Youth Development Foundation operations manager Mark Inman said IBA was a “well-being-based” pre-employment programme.

In the morning, guest speakers shared their stories, “so kids know they are not alone in their struggles, that they are young and trying to find their own way in life.”

Afternoons usually consist of field visits to introduce them to employment opportunities, he said.

Participants also got an hour of daily exercise and ate a cooked lunch.

Inman said the program focuses on the individual’s needs and helps them with self-assessment.

A psychologist, budgeting services and drug abuse and alcohol experts are also on hand if needed, Inman said.

‘School is not for everyone’

Tinetti told Bay of Abundant Times He was passionate about alternative education.

“School doesn’t work for everyone, and we’ve heard from some of the young people here today that there are some issues that we need to look at and work on.

“It’s really important as people looking at policy and future policy development that we look at what those alternative pathways might look like and then how we as a government can make that happen and support that environment. “We still give people (like this place) their autonomy and uniqueness.”

Tinetti said: Former principal of Merivale School He knew the difference the academy made

“I saw this firsthand with the kids I had at Merivale, and because they went through this program, they held their heads up and were hopeful about their future.”

To achieve different outcomes for children, “we must meet them on their terms,” ​​Hipkins said.

“That’s where programs like this meet young people on their terms and figure out what’s best for them.

“Whereas most of what the government does is ‘Well, do you fit into this category or that category?’ It’s about… and in fact in most cases these children meet several categories or none at all and end up not getting the desired ranking. providing the support they need.

“I think one of the lessons for us is that there is no one model that will work everywhere… I think what we need to make sure we do at the government level is create the environment where we can support the community. led solutions.

“Because a lot of that will come from having really passionate people in a local community who can do something that works for young people, and this program is clearly working.”

Megan Wilson He is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post. He has been working as a journalist since 2021.