Foundation Skills (Level 2)

On campus

Level 2NZ Certificate60 credits20 weeksWiri

Develop life skills while exploring real careers

This nationally recognised qualification helps 16-24 year olds build essential workplace skills while exploring career options across multiple industries.

Through hands-on learning in real vocational environments - commercial kitchens, healthcare training spaces, salon facilities, business settings and more - you'll discover which careers match your interests and gain the practical skills employers need.

The New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills (Level 2) isn't about catching up on schooling - it's about discovering your strengths, building confidence and developing practical capabilities in literacy, numeracy, digital technology, teamwork and customer service. You'll graduate with 60 NCEA Level 2 credits and direct pathways to Level 3 work-ready qualifications.

Who can enrol?

Open to 16–24 year-olds (or 15-year-olds with a Ministry of Education exemption), this Level 2 qualification is designed for those seeking practical direction for their future. Whether you're looking for something more hands-on than traditional schooling, unsure which career suits you, or ready to explore options before committing to a specific path, this programme provides the space to discover what's next.

No previous qualifications or experience required - just a willingness to explore, learn through doing and build your future with practical skills and confidence.

What makes this course effective?

Real vocational environments

Learn in actual industry settings where you'll use professional equipment and experience what different careers involve, guided by tutors who are working professionals.

Hands-on skill development

Build essential workplace capabilities through practical application - teamwork, customer service, digital technology, literacy and numeracy - all learned in real contexts that mirror actual job environments.

Industry-connected teaching

Train under experienced professionals who understand what employers need and how to help you develop job-ready skills, bringing current industry knowledge and workplace insights to your learning experience.

Multiple pathways unlocked

Complete this qualification and gain direct access to Level 3 work-ready training across various industries.

What does this qualification cover?

The New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills (Level 2) develops essential capabilities across three key areas:

Personal effectiveness and wellbeing:

Self-management and resilience strategies for work and life
Adaptability and confidence in unfamiliar situations
Goal-setting and pathway planning based on your strengths
Understanding your rangatiratanga (personal leadership) and how it guides your future

Workplace-ready skills:

Teamwork and collaboration across diverse groups
Customer service fundamentals and professional communication
Problem-solving and decision-making in practical contexts
Digital technology skills for learning and employment

Applied literacy and numeracy:

Reading, writing and comprehension in workplace contexts
Practical numeracy for real industry situations
Information literacy and using digital tools effectively
Communication skills applied across different career settings

What qualifications will you gain?

Graduates receive the New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills (Level 2), a nationally recognised NZQA-approved qualification worth 60 NCEA Level 2 credits. This qualification demonstrates readiness for Level 3 training or entry-level employment and provides direct pathways to certificates and diplomas across healthcare, cookery, hospitality, business, hairdressing, nail technology and NZDF and Police Entry Preparation - sectors with consistent employment demand throughout New Zealand.

Industry Information

Across healthcare, hospitality and service sectors, employers value people who are reliable, work well in teams, communicate effectively and genuinely care about the people they serve. This qualification helps you discover if these capabilities match your natural strengths while building the practical skills and confidence to demonstrate them in workplace settings.

Your next steps after this qualification

Graduates commonly progress into Level 3 qualifications including:

Healthcare Level 3 – Support work, aged care, allied health pathways
Cookery Level 3 – Professional kitchen training and catering operations (qualified chefs earn
Hospitality Level 3 – Customer service, food and beverage and event management roles
Business Level 3 – Administration, retail and customer experience pathways
Hairdressing Level 3 – Salon training and beauty services
Nail Technology – Beauty therapy and salon services
Police and NZDF Preparation

Foundation Skills FAQs

Here we answer all of your questions around our Foundation Skills qualification.

What industries will I be exposed to in this qualification?

You'll get hands-on exposure to healthcare, hospitality, cookery, hairdressing, nail technology, business and Police and NZDF Prep through practical learning in real training environments.

Will this help me figure out what career to pursue?

Yes! This qualification is specifically designed to help you discover which careers match your interests and strengths. Through practical exposure to multiple industries and guidance from experienced tutors, you'll gain clarity on which pathways feel right and build confidence to pursue them through Level 3 training or entry-level employment.

What practical skills will I develop?

You'll build self-management and resilience, teamwork across diverse groups, customer service capabilities, practical literacy and numeracy applied in workplace contexts, digital technology skills and adaptability in unfamiliar situations. These are essential workplace skills that employers across all industries need.

What happens after I complete this qualification?

You'll have direct pathways into Level 3 work-ready qualifications. Many of these are available with funding options for eligible learners. You'll graduate with 60 NCEA Level 2 credits, practical workplace skills and clear direction on your next steps.

How much does this qualification cost?

This qualification is available with zero fees for eligible 16–24 year-olds through Youth Guarantee funding. This means no tuition costs - you can build skills, explore career pathways, and gain NZQA-approved credits without financial barriers. Contact us to confirm your eligibility and discuss available start dates.

What support will I receive during this programme?

You'll receive wrap-around support from experienced tutors, guidance with goal-setting and pathway planning, literacy and numeracy development where needed and assistance transitioning into Level 3 qualifications or employment. The Skills Institute learning environment is supportive, collaborative and designed to build confidence.

How long will it take me to complete?

This qualification is completed over 20 weeks, providing comprehensive skill development and career exploration in a focused timeframe. You can complete Level 2 and progress to Level 3 training within the same year.

Do I need any previous qualifications to enrol?

No previous qualifications or experience are required. This programme is designed for 16–24 year-olds (or 15 with Ministry of Education exemption) who don't hold a qualification higher than Level 1 and are looking for practical direction.