About yia! > For parents and guardians
Showcase their potential
In the past 15 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.
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 - and they can even win prize money! They’ll learn essential skills to prepare them for their potential employer, scholarship or academic endeavour.
Parent and Guardian FAQ
Tauranga’s yia! Awards celebrate the young talent in the Western Bay of Plenty and inspire them to become the future innovators of Aotearoa.
What is yia! ?
The yia! program empowers the future workforce by building young minds
through innovation.
What are the benefits of the program?
Your young person will create, connect and learn valuable skills that enable them on their next venture, whether that is future employment, scholarship or further education. Children finishing the program say it helped them to learn about leadership, creativity and collaboration.
How is the yia! program unique from other youth programs?
The yia! program is the only program in the Bay of Plenty to take students through the Design Thinking methodology.
What is Design Thinking, and why is it important?
Employers in the Bay of Plenty tell us that they want future employees to be able to think creatively. Design Thinking is a framework for developing ideas that is fast becoming an essential skill - not taught through our current school curriculum. The yia! program teaches Design Thinking in a hands-on, fun and inclusive way.
As a parent or guardian, what’s the involvement?
The yia! program is completely run through the schools - all you’ll need to do is support your young person as they develop and shape their ideas into the world.
How much time does my child need to commit to YIA?
The program is integrated into the school curriculum, with additional time needed for ideation and project development. Participation is designed to be manageable alongside regular schoolwork.
Who runs the program?
The yia! program is facilitated as part of the Priority One Instep program, which has several sister programs. You can view them on the Priority One School Careers page. All yia! facilitators and mentors are highly skilled in their field and are passionate about your young person’s success. Meg Davis is the Project Manager.
Are there any associated costs for parents and guardians?
There are no program costs. The yia! program is free for young people and is led by the participating college and teachers.
Can we come to the Awards Night?
Yes! We love to see everyone supporting the local community and their young people. The evening is purely a celebration of all the hard work that has gone into the prototypes. Don’t forget that it’s not the winning, it’s the taking part that counts!
How can participating in YIA benefit my child academically?
YIA challenges students to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. They develop critical thinking, research, and collaboration skills, which enhance their academic performance and prepare them for future studies or careers.
Is design thinking only for students interested in design or technology?
No, design thinking applies to all fields. Whether your child is interested in science, business, healthcare, or the arts, the principles of empathy, ideation, and problem-solving are universally beneficial.
How can parents support their children during YIA?
Parents can encourage their children to stay curious, ask questions, and persevere through challenges. Providing a supportive environment for brainstorming and discussing ideas at home can also be beneficial. Using your connections to help support your students learning and real life application will also be beneficial.
Are there opportunities for my child to continue with their projects after YIA?
Yes, some students go on to develop their ideas further through partnerships with local businesses or by participating in other innovation programs. YIA can be a stepping stone to larger entrepreneurial endeavors. One such way is through the program YES (Young Enterprise Scheme) run by Stand Tall Trust