Prime Minister Launches One Tree Hill College High Tech Youth Academy

The Prime Minister John Key officially launched the One Tree Hill College High Tech Youth Academy on Wednesday 6 August.

Microsoft New Zealand  also announced it is donating $1M in cash, software and services investment to the One Tree Hill College High Tech Youth Academy.

Microsoft New Zealand Managing Director, Paul Muckleston, made the announcement at One Tree Hill College where Prime Minister John Key joined with the Principal, Nick Coughlan, students and the CEO of the High Tech Youth Network for the official ground-breaking for the construction of a new High Tech Youth Studio and Academy.

The One Tree Hill College Academy is the latest site set for development by the High Tech Youth Network to offer vocational and education pathways for students into high-performance digital learning and training.  The academy will offer NCEA and industry related secondary and tertiary credentialing, as well as workplace internships and mentoring of young people in the High-Tech and Digital Media industries. At the studios, young people learn project management and technical skills such as computer game design, electronic publishing, Photoshop, animation and 3D graphic design.

Paul Muckleston said that initiatives like the High Tech Youth Network will help secure the future of young New Zealanders with pathways into the tech sector. Muckleston says Microsoft’s investment in the High Tech Youth Network is part of a wider commitment to building a smart, connected, competitive New Zealand, in which all New Zealanders have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

“Through our partnership with the High Tech Youth Network, we hope to inspire young New Zealanders to imagine and build a better future for themselves – all while building a skilled and innovative workforce in New Zealand that is equipped to prosper in the global economy.”

Muckleston says the $1M grant announced today – made under Microsoft’s global YouthSpark programme – includes a commitment of investment to providing ICT industry credentialing opportunities, industry mentors and 4 -10 week work placements through High Tech Youth Academies for young people aged 16-24 years..

Mike Usmar, CEO of the High Tech Youth Network, expressed his deep gratitude for the new grant of support which he says will enable the Network to expand its reach further than ever before.

The High Tech Youth Network has four core objectives, these are:

- To empower young people and communities to become more capable, creative and confident lifelong learners.

- To foster the growth of a learning community, through the sharing of ideas and support.

- To encourage in young people the development of a positive identity and belief in their potential, through linking cultural knowledge and values with technology.

- To champion, support, manage, research and implement services and projects that will further the above objectives within New Zealand and the Pacific.

For more information on the High Tech Youth Network, visit: http://hightechyouth.org/

For the a video of the launch, visit https://vimeo.com/102692726