FEATURE: Say Yes To A Smarter Future At SIT

With over 30 years of teaching experience and over 130 programs to choose from, it’s no surprise that the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) is a popular place to study.

Situated in the south of the South Island, what makes SIT even more appealing is its Zero Fees Scheme, where students can study for a tertiary qualification without getting into debt. From certificates to diplomas, degrees to vocational courses, SIT’s programmes allow students to indulge in whatever subject they’re interested in studying – and making a career out of it.

And when students need a break from the books, Invercargill offers heaps of extra curricular activities as well.

ABOUT THE ZERO FEES SCHEME
The Southern Institute of Technology has a Zero Fees Scheme, which means students enrolling in approved study programmes do not need to pay the base tuition fee. Students will still need to pay any additional costs for materials relating to their studies such as textbooks, tools, or field trips.

Many of SIT's graduates are able to start their careers debt-free and on any given degree, SIT students save between $10,000 and $19,000 on tuition fees.  For more info about fees, click here.

STUDENT PROFILES
To find out more about studying at SIT there really are no better people to hear from than the students themselves. Read the following Student Profiles and see for yourself why SIT is such a great option for your tertiary studies.
 

BRADY MASON
Certificate in Joinery

Brady was born and bred in Southland, and during his younger school years enjoyed his practical classes of woodwork and metal work.  “I loved designing, building and creating. I always wanted to be a cabinet maker, and then the course came up at SIT and I really enjoyed it, I delved into it and never looked back.”

Brady chose to undertake the Joinery course in 2000 after hearing about the introduction of the Zero Fees Scheme.  “They had really good training facilities that keep getting better, so students learn on the most up to date gear at the time.”

Besides the excellent training facilities, Brady found the biggest highlight to be the SIT tutors. “They were really good instructors for me, they get down to your level.  They’re not just a tutor, they really guide you to what you want to do and help you get there.”

Because of the SIT tutor’s local knowledge and contacts, Brady had the opportunity to apply for a job at a local joinery firm which he worked at for eight years, developing into a foreman role. “SIT prepared me for that, they gave me the confidence to go into employment.”

Afterwards Brady went straight into starting his own business, Elite Kitchens and Joinery, in 2008.  He plans to expand this in the future and hopes to take on graduates from SIT as apprentices. Brady advises that SIT be the first port of call for any prospecting student looking at getting into joinery, or any trade. 

“It really does help you, your knowledge, and your confidence.”

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A CERTIFICATE IN JOINERY CLICK HERE.

DAVID MOATE
Bachelor of Environmental Management

“To study at SIT I sacrificed a lifestyle - life in the Coromandel Peninsula, living by the sea, eating fresh snapper - I even had to sell my beloved boat!  But there comes a time when you have to think seriously about what you want from the future.

"Course content was the number one reason why I chose SIT.  Of all the environmental programmes on offer in NZ, this is the broadest.  So it keeps employment options broad".

“Before choosing SIT, My wife and I did research online for 3-4 months.  We checked out everything on offer in NZ.  SIT really stood out - smaller class sizes, excellent place for a family, friendly towards mature students, nice grounds and buildings, and zero fees.

“SIT’s degree programme is closely interlinked with job providers.  For summer 2008, I got a job with Environment Southland and over summer 2009 I worked on a research project for Fish and Game and Environment Southland.

“After graduating in 2010, I applied for eight jobs and was interviewed for five of them.  All the positions required relevant tertiary qualifications, they wouldn’t have even considered me if I didn’t have the Bachelor of Environmental Management. I was offered and accepted a job at DOC as a Community Relations Ranger.  This is an area that I’ve grown an interest in.” 

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CLICK HERE.

RAMARI PAUL
Bachelor of Fashion (Design & Technology)

For first year Bachelor of Fashion student, Ramari Paul, SIT’s course provided an opportunity to further her career in fashion. She has been working in the industry for seven years, including tutoring, but realised she needed a higher level qualification to get further in the field.

After attending a careers expo in Hamilton, Ramari decided to come down to SIT.  “I chose SIT because of the Zero Fees, and the content the course offered.  I felt it was a good programme even though it was free.”

Ramari has been impressed with the course content so far.  “It’s fun, I’m really enjoying it. It’s an exciting course.  I feel the content lets you experiment; you have the freedom to be creative here - guided by the tutors of course. Other courses I have undertaken and looked at seemed more rigid.”

The first year of the degree features the basic skills needed in garment construction and pattern making. It also investigates illustration design and development illustration.  Students work with real clients, completing real-world assignments.  “It’s based more around the industry rather than yourself.”  Practical work is a strong focus of the course, something Ramari enjoys.  “That’s more appealing to me because you’re preparing yourself more for work.  They balance it really well here between the practical and theory.”

Looking ahead to graduating, Ramari views her options broadly.  “I’ll look again at the possibility of tutoring.  I’m also interested in looking at the textile industry. I wouldn’t turn down a job at a design company.” 

Ramari feels the facilities available at SIT rival many of the other tertiary institutes in NZ. “SIT has the same if not better.  The biggest thing I like, that I haven’t found in other places I’ve studied at, is that I’m surprised at the amount of good friends I’ve made here.”  A comfortable atmosphere promotes her learning environment. “Also the tutors are down to earth, they have a sense of humour.  It was definitely worth moving down for this.  We moved all our stuff and left friends and family but we haven’t regretted it.” 

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A BACHELOR OF FASHION CLICK HERE.

HANNAH LEY
Bachelor of Digital Media

For recent SIT Digital Media graduate Hannah Ley, her time as an intern on the upcoming Robert Sarkies film ‘Two Little Boys’ has led to nothing but more opportunities.

Originally from Kaikoura, Hannah chose to make the move down in 2006 to study the Bachelor of Digital Media.  “The thing that drew me was the Zero Fees.  I came down from Kaikoura where I worked in the summer fishing and diving and in the winter I was a snowboard instructor.”

Hannah was pleasantly surprised with the course and the facilities available at SIT. “When I first got there, I found it was a lot better than I thought it would be.  It was a pleasant shock.”

She also enjoyed the close proximity of students from other Arts courses on campus, as many had interests and skills in related areas.  “I hadn’t done a lot of film before I started. I enjoyed it though, because I was around people who were interested in the same things.  The course work was a shock at first because I hadn’t studied for a long time, but after getting into it, it was all good.  The people at SIT were what made it.”

After beginning the course in 2007, Hannah took a year off between her second and third year. “I was crewing on the Earthrace Boat and I took documentary footage of that.”

For Hannah, gaining the experience through her Two Little Boys internship has been crucial for finding future work.  “Getting into the internship is biggest thing I achieved. I got to meet a lot of people and through that I got to work on another movie, then from that I got work on another movie.”

Hannah’s first job was on a TVNZ movie called ‘Rage’, after which she worked for several days on ‘The Hobbit’ movie.  “I then moved to Auckland and worked on commercials.  Currently I’m trying to get into camera department production. My future goals are to work in feature films on television in the camera department.”

Hannah is thankful of the opportunities provided through SIT and her internship that has helped secure her future.  “I would absolutely recommend the course.”

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A BACHELOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA CLICK HERE.

For more information about all the courses on offer at SIT check out all of their courses here.