The Government has announced nine new secondary school subjects that will be developed by industry groups.
They include tourism, construction and built environment, and energy and infrastructure.
Education Minister Erica Stanford said the subjects would be available for students in Years 12-13 from 2029 when they would form part of a new qualification replacing the NCEA.
The full list of subjects were:
- Next-gen manufacturing
- Applied intelligent systems
- Construction and built environment
- Energy and infrastructure
- Engineering technology
- Food and fibre systems
- Health services and care
- Hospitality food and beverage
- Tourism.
"These subjects are being developed with industry to give students an exciting range of options, so businesses know young people are building the skills their sectors need, and students can gain knowledge that sets them up for work, trades, training or university," Stanford said.
The subjects would be developed by Industry Skills Boards, which were originally set up to oversee tertiary qualifications and apprenticeships for specific industries.
Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board chief executive Philip Aldridge said the new subjects would give industry a direct role in shaping student's pathways.
"Students make better choices when they can see where study can take them," Aldridge said in a statement.
"New Zealand's energy and infrastructure sectors will need more skilled people to deliver the services our country depends on every day. These subjects will help prepare students for careers in industries that are central to New Zealand's economic growth and productivity."
Civil Contractors New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard said the change would help students better understand the careers available in civil construction.
"These new subjects will help more young people see civil construction as a career with strong training, progression and long-term opportunity," he said.
Secondary Principals Council chairperson Steve McCracken hoped the plan would stem the flow of early exits from school.
The latest figures show the number of students leaving school has ballooned from 362 in 2014 to 1342 in 2024.
He said that was happening for a variety of reasons.
"Anything from schools not being the right fit from a parent's perspective, through to potential employment opportunities, and also for young people needing support for health conditions or mental health-associated needs as well," McCracken told Checkpoint.
'No magic wand will fit the bill'
"There's a range of issues and no one magic wand will fit the bill in terms of trying to fix this."
But McCracken hoped the nine new courses would excite students who may otherwise feel disillusioned with the usual academic subjects.
"The announcement today is a really positive step forward in terms of being able to offer things different to a traditional secondary school, and really an opportunity for young people to experience what its like in the workplace," he said.
The 2029 target wouldn't be easy to hit, though.
"That's the million-dollar question. It's going to be tight, and there's going to be a significant amount of work that's needed.
"Is it too tight? No, I don't think so. Schools always respond and I'm sure the industry standards boards would respond as well really positively and work together to make this happen."
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