January 23, 2013
Course producing Māori trade leaders
More than half the 150 graduates of a Ngāi Tahu-backed trade trainings scheme have got jobs, and most of the rest are in further training.
The next intake of more than sixty trainees pick up their scholarships today at Rehua Marae in Christchurch, which include fee support, support from a Māori team, help with work placement and a $1,000 apprenticeship grant.
He Toki ki Te Rika is a partnership between the rūnanga, the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and Hawkins Construction
Ngāi Tahu Chair Sir Mark Solomon says the programme is about leadership as well as making sure Māori participate in the rebuilding of Christchurch.
He says the partnership wants the trainees to go on to become the supervisors and project managers.
He Toki programmes include carpentry, painting and decorating, welding, plumbing,
drain laying, plasterboard and engineering.
Hawkins Project Director Mark Katterns, who did an Auckland-based Māori trades training scheme before joining Hawkins as an apprentice in 1980, says Aotearoa needs great Māori construction leaders and He Toki is the start point.
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