SSEP Launches in the Capital!
Smart Waikato’s Secondary School Employer Partnerships (SSEP) is transforming classrooms today and shaping tomorrow’s workforce, from Waikato to Canterbury, and now in Wellington.
This transformation is being driven by passionate advocates like Mark Patchett, whose diverse career has spanned Central Government, legal work and workforce development. In fact, the power of SSEP in part inspired his latest career move: retraining as a teacher to help bridge the gap between education and employment.
Now based at Onslow College in Wellington, Patchett is leading the charge as the school becomes the first in the capital to implement SSEP—a programme he believes is revolutionising how students engage with learning and career pathways.
Smart NZ’s Anna Allison, left, with the Onslow College team ready to launch SSEP.
A proven model, a passionate advocate
Patchett’s journey to teaching was in part shaped by his time as National Manager of Regional Workforce at the Ministry for Primary Industries, where he focused on growing the primary industries talent pipeline. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he discovered the SSEP model and quickly recognised its potential to revolutionise careers education. Working alongside Smart Waikato Trust, he helped pilot SSEP in Canterbury schools, adapting the model to the region’s food and fibre strengths.
That experience left a lasting impact. Patchett saw firsthand how SSEP brought energy, purpose, and possibility into the classroom.
Inspired to make a greater difference, he made the leap into education—determined to embed future-focused, career-connected learning into secondary schooling.
SSEP: Making learning real, relevant, and rewarding
“Many students struggle to see the link between what they’re learning and their future,” says Patchett. “SSEP changes that. It makes learning meaningful and shows students what’s possible beyond the school gates.”
Developed by Smart Waikato Trust, SSEP is a game-changing initiative that’s been running successfully in Waikato schools for nearly a decade. The programme connects teachers with employers to show students the real-world relevance of what they’re learning in class. By contextualising core subjects like maths, SSEP boosts engagement, achievement, and informed career decision-making.
From regional success to national impact
Launched in five Waikato schools in 2016, SSEP expanded to 43 of the region’s 53 secondary schools prior to Covid-19. Now available nationwide through the Smart NZ brand, the programme is ready for wider adoption—backed by strong outcomes and growing interest from educators, employers, and communities alike.
Smart NZ’s Anna Allison, left, with Onslow College’s Head of Maths Shimmy Unnikrishnan, Gateway Co-ordinator Fiona Collins and Mark Patchett.
At Onslow College, the SSEP journey begins this term (term two) with Year 9 Maths. Teachers and employers are co-designing activities that bring mathematical concepts—like geometry, percentages, and data analysis—to life across sectors such as construction, IT, food production, and banking. Through classroom visits and workplace trips, students will experience how these skills are applied in the real world.
With his unique background—from former MPI Chief Legal Advisor to regional workforce leader to classroom teacher—Mark Patchett brings a rare depth of insight and commitment to his role. As he helps lead the SSEP rollout at Onslow College, he’s not just introducing a new programme—he’s helping to redefine what meaningful education looks like.
“SSEP opens doors,” he says. “It’s a privilege to be part of something that helps young people see the value in their learning and the possibilities ahead of them.”
For more information:
Mary Jensen
Smart Waikato Chief Executive
0212955951 [email protected]