Most pre-trades courses won’t require you to have done specific subjects in secondary school, but you should make sure you meet NCEA’s literacy and numeracy requirements.

Some secondary schools let you start learning a trade while you’re at school, combining your NCEA studies with trades courses. There are also trades academies that teach pre-trade courses to students in Year 11 to 13, while you’re still enrolled in school. You can find out more about these options on the careers.govt.nz website.