More than 200 students plugged in to Inzone, an interactive coach with videos about key employment sectors at Dunstan High School (DHS) on Tuesday (March 28).

Groups of 20 students watched short videos on primary industries, horticulture and construction, manufacturing and technology, creative industries, service industries and defence careers inside the ‘coach’ on individual screens.

They put on headphones and used touch screens to select areas of interest, and after their 25 minute time slot was up, they received a personalised text message with links to information online about sectors they chose.

Horticulture New Zealand (Hort NZ) regional extension officer Chelsea Donnelly said the coach was engaging students via technology and it firmly captured their attention.

“It's surprisingly quiet, and they are engrossed in their own thing… the videos are entertaining and clever and it’s conveyed in a way they can relate to.”

On hand to answer questions were (clockwise from left) Hort NZ’s Chelsea Donnelly, Dunedin-based Connected employment liaison advisor Benji Ahdar, Inzone’s Peter and Donna Doake, and Tourism New Zealand regional coordinator lower South Island Amanda Linklater. PHOTO: The Central App

Chelsea said although her focus was horticulture she wanted students to explore all the options and find out what they were passionate about through the coach’s visit. 

“Supporting the coach to visit is our way of thanking DHS for advertising seasonal work and to the students for turning up every summer to work on our local orchards,” Chelsea said. 

Hort NZ, New Zealand Defence Force, Seafood New Zealand, Primary Industries and the Mayoral Task Force support the Inzone coach tour and careers kiosks throughout the year to different locations to assist young people with careers information.

Inzone chief executive Peter Doake said $2M worth of videos were running on the coach, covering all sorts of roles from horticulture to roading. 

DHS’s student Meia (14) said the session was interesting and she enjoyed it. She opted for more information about real estate and teaching sports and fitness.

Meia inside the Inzone coach. PHOTO: The Central App

Year 10 students Cooper and Caitlin agreed it was a useful visit. Cooper said he liked the videos on construction, emergency relief and management and adventure tourism. 

Cooper and Caitlin. PHOTO: The Central App

Caitlin said she hoped to pursue a career in medicine or vet nursing having learned more about these thanks to the coach.  

The eye-catching and oversized coach. PHOTO: Supplied 

For more information see the [Inzone] website.