For Gateway Employers

You make a difference. WorkX makes it easy.

You already know hosting a student is the right thing to do. WorkX handles the admin — digital paperwork, student check-ins, school communication — so you can focus on giving them a great experience.

Why it makes sense

The evidence is clear

Research from around the world consistently shows that hosting work experience students delivers real returns for employers.

20+

NCEA credits students earn through a Gateway placement — building real, recognised qualifications while at your workplace

Tertiary Education Commission, NZ

9 in 10

employees who mentor young people say they are happier in their current role

CNBC / MENTOR Research

66

students joined Gateway at one Wellington school in a single year — of those, 20 received paid or voluntary work offers from their placement employer

Education Gazette NZ

40+

Gateway students at one NZ school who did a placement in 2022 are now employed by their Gateway employer

TBC School, NZ Gateway data

73%

of employees report strong career satisfaction when their employer supports youth mentoring

MENTOR National Partnership

What you get

Five reasons employers love hosting students

🎯

Build your future workforce

Gateway gives you early access to motivated rangatahi exploring your industry. Research shows students often return as employees — one NZ school reported over 40 of its 2022 Gateway students are now employed by their placement employer.

💪

Boost your team's morale

Hosting a student creates natural mentoring opportunities for your existing staff. Studies show that employees who mentor young people are twice as likely to be engaged at work, report higher job satisfaction, and feel more connected to their organisation.

🏆

Build your employer brand

Word spreads quickly among rangatahi. A great Gateway experience builds your reputation as a youth-friendly employer. As one NZ employer put it: hosting students is something worth singing about from the rooftops because it is such a positive thing for New Zealand.

📣

Promote your industry

Many rangatahi don't know what careers exist in your sector until they experience them. Gateway is one of the most effective ways to introduce students to your industry at exactly the right moment — when they are still forming career aspirations.

💡

Gain fresh perspectives

Today's students are digital natives who bring new energy, ideas and ways of thinking. Nissan's work-based learning coordinator described student workers as 'young, creative minds who are a real asset — not afraid of technology because it is not new to them.'

WorkX takes the admin off your plate

We know your time is valuable. WorkX handles the paperwork so you can focus on the experience.

📄

Digital documents

MOUs, health and safety forms and agreements are signed digitally through DocuSign. No printing, no chasing, no filing.

📍

Student check-ins

Students check in through the WorkX app when they arrive. You get instant confirmation — no phone calls, no registers.

💬

Direct messaging

Communicate directly with the school coordinator through WorkX. Everything in one thread, no lost emails.

Getting started is simple

1

Register

Tell us about your business and the type of placement you can offer. Takes 5 minutes.

2

Get matched

Your school coordinator connects you with the right student for your workplace.

3

Onboard with WorkX

Digital paperwork is handled through the platform. The student gets the app and is ready to go.

4

Host your student

Check-ins, diary entries and communication all happen through WorkX. You stay informed without the admin.

What employers tell us

What employers tell us

I want to help, but I don't have time to learn a new system.

You don't need to. WorkX is your coordinator's tool — you just receive a student who's better prepared, with paperwork already sorted.

The last student we had wasn't ready. It felt like a waste of time.

WorkX gives students clear goals, milestones and preparation before they arrive. Coordinators can see exactly how prepared each student is before placement day.

I never know what's happening with the school side of things.

Direct messaging with the school coordinator, live check-in confirmation, and a simple digital record of everything — all through one platform.

From employers who've done it

I think the intangible benefits for our staff in feeling like we are giving something back completely outweigh any time commitment. It is about so much more than identifying talented young people.

Mark, Wellington employer

Education Gazette NZ

I was very excited when I got my contract. Doing work experience here was so much fun, and now I am actually getting paid for it.

Flynn Roberts, Gateway student who became a full-time employee

Education Gazette NZ

Hosting a Gateway student is a great way to introduce talented young people with an interest in your industry to your organisation. Gateway placements often lead directly to employment.

Careerforce Gateway Employer Guide, NZ

Ready to host a Gateway student?

Register your business on WorkX and your school coordinator will be in touch.

Register as a Gateway employer