Ara Education Charitable Trust

The Ara Education Charitable Trust (AECT) is an innovative collaboration between five South Auckland schools, namely- Aorere College - Mangere College - Manurewa High School - Onehunga High School - Southern Cross Campus All of the schools have, or are in engaged with Trades Academies, meaning that students have intense exposure to trade skills in their final two years of schools AECT provides work experience, career education and opportunities to students in their last year of school and also connects students into work as they leave school. This can be in the form of contract work, apprenticeships or even full time employment. The key focus of AECT is to support students in the transition from school into the construction industry by means of skills training, obtaining their driver’s licenses, certification and addressing any other skills gaps to ensure they are ready for the workforce. The AECT has a governance board which is made up of the five school principals and highly experienced members from the financial, construction and education sectors.