Positive enrolment figures for Ara

Interest in on-campus vocational education is on the increase with Ara Institute of Canterbury receiving 5.9% more full-time student enrolments so far in 2024 compared with the same period last year.

This is part of an overall growth in equivalent full-time student (EFTS) enrolments for campus-based and online divisions of the training sector, with a 7.4% increase recorded nationwide.

Ara’s Timaru campus has well exceeded that national trend recording 33.2% more full-time student enrolments in the year to date figures.  

Director Southern Campuses Leonie Rasmussen said it was pleasing to note a wide range of the courses offered at Timaru doing well.  “Nursing has continued its strong growth and with two start dates this year, that trend is likely to continue. Demand is also high for te reo Māori, engineering, pathway courses into trades and service industry qualifications,” she said.

“Our team has worked hard to promote our offerings, make enrolment seamless and help ākonga and their whānau feel welcome and supported.  We believe these efforts, as well as the opportunities we provide to experience Ara through taster experiences, are playing into these numbers,” she added.

Ara Institute of Canterbury Operations Lead Darren Mitchell said while growth in international numbers and nursing streams were particularly strong region-wide, it was pleasing to note marked increases across study offerings.

“Our range of trades and pre-trades courses are seeing positive numbers, and many service industry qualifications have experienced growth, but we’re also seeing strong performance in the majority of our degree programmes such as the Bachelor of Information and Communication Technologies and Bachelor of Accounting.”

“Extra provision this year in nursing and medical imaging will boost numbers further in 2024 and with rolling intakes in trades, hospitality and service industry courses throughout the year, it’s always a good time to stay in touch with our enrolment team and explore study options with us.”

Across the country, there has also been a significant rise in international student enrolments.

Ara International director Beth Knowles said the campus had seen an increase of 32.1% on the same time last year, with strong growth in students from Southeast Asia.

Starting with a record-breaking January Open Day, Ara has hosted a wide range of ‘on-boarding’ events for students from different faculties in recent weeks, along with orientation days tailored specifically to International, Pasifika and Māori ākonga.

The events are designed to ensure enrolments are seamless, ākonga are familiar with the range of support services available to them and have the opportunity to meet their tutors.

After a packed event on the Trades campus in Woolston, Ara’s City campus saw more than 800 ākonga fill the gymnasium for a formal welcome ceremony for semester one ākonga (students) and kaimahi (staff). Timaru held its own whakatau followed by a student “Freshies” orientation event.

“It’s always incredibly special to see the faces of those new to campus at these events. With a strong foundation for 2024 in place, ensuring the success of our learners is our key focus,” Mitchell said.