Listen Now: 
Ngati Toa Rangatira was out in force yesterday for the opening of Whitireia Community Polytechnic's new construction and engineering trades training facility in Porirua.
Head of engineering Graham Carson says the polytechnic enjoys a close relationship with the local iwi, and about a third of the 200 students are Maori.
He says it's a great time to learn trade skills, with most graduates walking into jobs or apprenticeships.
"The demand for young people to go into apprenticeships and get a trade is high from the local industry. It's a good future. It's a positive outlook for these people who want to get into trades and you can get a successful career by getting into trades and I think that is changing the public perception," Mr Carson says.
The construction students are building three-bedroom houses for Housing New Zealand as a practical element to their studies.
!["p_facebook"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/facebook.jpg")
& !["p_twitter"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/twitter.jpg")
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
