 This course is designed to prepare students for a career in New
Zealand's Defence Force, The Police Force, The Fire Service or The Corrections Department. Yes it's tough but so will you be by the time you complete the course! Students will be expected to display the values of Commitment, Courage, Determination, Leadership, Pride, Strength and Teamwork.
Course Cost
It's absolutely FREE for all those that meet the eligibility criteria set out by TEC for Training Oportunities and Youth Funding. If you are not sure if you are eligible please contact us and we will be able to advise you.
Course Start Date and Duration
Students can start anytime and are allowed a maximum of 48 weeks to complete the course. Most students take around 6 months to get their academic qualifications and fitness up to the required level before we will put them forward to sit their aptitude tests with the Army, Air Force, or Police. Please bear in mind that this course is extremely popular and often has a long waiting list so book your interview with us as soon as possible.
The Interview Process
All students for the SMART Course need to attend an Orientation Day where we explain our rules and regulations to you. We want you to know exactly what you are getting yourself in for and we also want to check if you have any medical conditions or criminal convictions that may stop your application to the Army, Navy, Air Force or Police from being successful. It's better to know at the start than to train for 6 months only to find your application is declined. You will have to sit a Basic English and Mathematics test. Don't worry, it's not a pass or fail it simply allows us to assess what we need to teach you. We will also look at your Record of Learning so we can plan with you to gain the required credits to get your NCEA Level 1 or at the very least the required English and Maths credits you will need to join the New Zealand Defence Force. Students should bring a parent or guardian to this Orientation Day.
Academics
Students are placed in streamed classes and work through various stages of Maths and English that we have designed. Upon completion of these stages students then sit their tests in which they must score 80% to pass. 50% is NOT a pass at ATC. After successfully completing a test a student will then be allowed to sit the matching unit standard that corresponds to that stage. If they pass, this is how they will earn the credits towards their entry into the NZDF and eventually how they will gain their NCEA Level 1. Students will work on Maths, English, Science, or Engineering every morning. When we believe a student is ready both academically and physically we will put them forward to sit their entry tests for their chosen career path with either the New Zealand Defence Force or Police.
Physical Training and Military Drill
Joining part of New Zealands Defence Force or The Police requires a high standard of fitness. At ATC we push all our students to not only meet the required standards but we encourage them to go well beyond them. Physical Training is done every afternoon and is not simply a game of touch or basketball. It's back to basics with a lot of running, press ups and sit ups. Students will also get put through their paces with the use of logs, ammo boxes, tyres, buckets of water and fire hoses. We train hard but have a lot of fun doing it.
Learning military drill, how to march and how to be on parade are all part of the course. This is done to prepare our students to adapt well to the basic training they will undergo once they start a career with the New Zealand Defence Force. The discipline they gain from the military drill is extremely valuable.
The Special Events
Terminator Challenges
 Each year we hold an Inter Branch Terminator competition where all our SMART course students compete for their branch to win "The Terminator Cup". Students Compete in a series of events which challenge them mentally and physically and encourage them to show the values which we try to install in them. Leadership skills are learnt during events like this as well as a commitment to teamwork. Terminator Events are also held at branch level throughout the year to practice these skills. Please check our photo galleries to see the students in action competing in these events.
The Strongman Challenge
Twice a year students will undergo "The Strongman Challenge" in which they are timed over a 3.2km run, a 2 minute press up routine, a 2 minute sit up routine and then finish with a timed obstacle course. Certain standards need to be met to reach ATC's Fitness Standard and for our top students they may wish to try and achieve the Badge Standard which is much harder. Records are held at each branch for the best male and female student in each of the four events.
What Qualifications Can I Achieve on the S*M*A*R*T Course?
NCEA Level 1
NCEA Level 2
Why People Enjoy This Course
 The SMART Course has a high level of structure and discipline involved with it. Students who did not do well at school usually excel in this environment as everything is monitored, all their actions have consequences and the students are encouraged to be the best they can be. We are tough on the students as many of them need to make some lifestyle changes if they want to pursue a military career but we also care. The staff involved in this course are highly motivated and the same tutor who takes you for maths will be out there running the km's with you and down in the dirt doing press ups. Academic studies are given great importance and we therefore stream our classes, provide small class sizes and maintain discipline in the classroom at all times so everyone can learn in a positive environment. Ideally we aim for every one of our students to gain their NCEA Level 1. With the majority of the students on this course looking for a military career the students encourage each other to continually improve and there is a great sense of family in what they are doing. All students are placed in a team that they stay in for the duration of the course and all of them are given a chance to hone their leadership skills leading this team. The course aims to teach all of it's students the values of commitment, courage, determination, leadership, pride, strength and teamwork. The SMART Course has an outstanding track record of producing recruits for New Zealands Armed Forces since 2000.
Locations: Kaitaia, Kaikohe, North Harbour and Huntly.
Disclaimer
- Completion of the course does not guarantee automatic or priority entry into any of the services.
- Previous criminal convictions may preclude entry to individual services - failure to notify recruiters of any criminal/traffic convictions (including diversion, warnings, court appearances) may result in the termination of an application.
- Certain medical conditions may prevent an application from being successful.
Post Placement Support
This is available, for up to 8 weeks, when you move into employment or on completion of your course. At the discretion of Advance Training Centres Ltd this may also include further training where necessary.
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