About yia! > For parents and guardians

Showcase their potential

In the past 16 years, thousands of young people have come through the yia! program with essential skills for their future employment, scholarship or further education.

Your young person is in safe hands, with experienced and knowledgeable mentors leading the program.

Learn more about yia! and its opportunities for your child below.

  • "It's been fantastic for (my child) to really decide on a concrete career path. She's going through Year 13 with real direction. Yia! has been amazing."

    Parent, yia! 2019

  • "We need more people from an early age to to have their eyes open to opportunity, innovation and creativity. The world is changing, and we need young talent that are innovators."

    Steven Saunders, Founder, Robotics Plus | yia! judge and partner.

  • "Innovation is so important for our students. They already come with amazing ideas and views of the world, but they need the tools to turn it into something that can have a genuine impact on the world".

    Andy Howells, Teacher, Aquinas College

  • "What exites me is all the potential, and how much you can do and all the possibilities. You could make something that changes someone's life!"

    Student and yia! participant, 2023

A young person writing post-it-notes

Create

Creativity and innovation are in-demand skills from future employers. With the yia! program, students get hands-on innovation experience, using the Design Thinking Methodology to unleash their creativity from idea to prototype. Your young person will get the chance to turn ideas they are passionate about into reality, and show them that anything is possible.

Connect

Leadership and collaboration skills are essential for the future of work. The Design Thinking Methodology fosters teamwork and communication in a fun and inclusive environment. These skills look great on a CV or further education application. With a high level of local business involvement, your young person’s future employer might be in the room.

Learn

Give your rangatahi the chance to learn problem-solving skills using the Design Thinking Methodology. yia! is the perfect platform for your young person to showcase their potential and make a real impact on the world. They’ll learn essential skills to prepare them for their potential employer, scholarship or academic endeavour.