November 16, 2023

Carpentry drops off as trade choice

Atereano Mateariki Posted On November 16, 2023

More than 120 Māori and Pasifika rangatahi are on the job market after graduating from their courses in Petone this week.

Whitirea and WelTec Tamaiti Whangai engagement advisor Charles Aliva say the scholarship programme included helping the students get their driver licences to increase their employment prospects.

He says there has been a shift in what rangatahi want to pursue.

“So historically the most popular course was the carpentry course but that has dropped off. Electrical and automotive have sort of leapfrogged and they’ve become very popular, the other courses being plumbing, cookery, hairdressing as well,” Mr Aliva says.