July 15, 2014
Ambitious aim for trade course
Waiariki Institute of Technology is looking for young Maori who not only want to learn a trade but will be willing to step up to the next level.
The polytech is part of the SkillMe consortium that has a contract to deliver the new Maori and Pasifika Trades Training initiative in the Rotorua area.
It also includes Te Taumata o Ngati Whakaue Iho Ake Trust, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi and Taumarunui Community Kokiri Trust.
Over the year trainees will build a house from the ground up as they work towards a certificate of carpentry.
Kevin Uncles, the Dean of applied technology and primary industries at Waiariki, says New Zealand doesn’t have enough Maori and Pasifika building firms, so he wants trainees who will eventually run their own businesses.
"My intention is at least 25 percent of the graduates will end up as future emplyees and that will make the whole Maori employment initiative really successful, so they've got to have passion, they've got to have a desire to learn and we will provide everything else really. It's just a matter of they need the will to succeed," Mr Uncles says.
Next year Waiariki will look at new courses for Maori in engineering and agriculture, which are also short of good tradespeople.
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