The country’s industry training organisations have begun gearing up for the second annual Got a Trade week, set down for August 22-26.
They say the week will have a strong media focus, bolstered by key events and widespread supporters activity. On top of that, earlier in the year, the country will see more experiential events, including interactive workplace tours under the Got a Trade? Got it Made banner.
Andrew Robertson, chairman of the got a Trade steering committee
Launched in November 2014, the national campaign, aimed at raising awareness of on-the-job training and careers in New Zealand’s trades and services also celebrates the talent and achievements of young people making headway in their chosen vocation.
A consortium of seven industry training organisations owns the campaign: BCITO, Competenz, Connexis, HITO, MITO, ServiceIQ and The Skills Organisation. They have appointed Andrew Robertson, marketing and communications manager at BCITO, as chairman of the steering committee for 2016.
He says, “Apprenticeships fell off the radar 25 years ago. Now, we’re working to re-establish on-the-job training and careers in trades and services as aspirational opportunities for switched-on people. Little by little, we aim to reposition trades and services as plan-A career paths in the minds of school leavers, teachers and parents.
“The first year of the campaign culminated in the launch of Got a Trade Week, which surpassed all expectations and set the benchmark for 2016. Now, we’re looking to develop the brand and build an annual calendar of activity, creating more opportunities for local talent to connect with local employers throughout the country.”
The steering committee will also include, Julie Ingram of print and sign industry training organisation Competenz; Sue Roberts, Careerforce; Kaarin Gaukrodger, Connexis; Rob McMaster; Rachael Dippie, MITO; and Gary Bowering, ServiceIQ.
The industry trade organisations say that New Zealand needs more skilled tradespeople. Trades and services comprise one third of all occupations on the 2015 Long-Term Skills Shortage. Robertson says, “Employers are telling us they need bright, young, motivated people who are willing to learn on-the-job. And, that trades and services are increasingly high-tech and highly skilled.
“We need to work together – in the workplace, in the classroom and in the home – to ensure that young New Zealanders are aware of the training and career options available to them.”
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