31 August 2015
This year’s Workchoice Teachers’ Day, Christchurch (28 August 2015) wrapped up Got a Trade Week with a focus on trades and services. The event, which was held at the Addington Events Centre, offered careers advisors, teachers and senior management of secondary schools an opportunity to learn more about apprenticeships and a career in the trades industries.
Opening speaker, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Hon Steven Joyce spoke about the importance of strengthening the links between schools and the trades industries. Attendees also heard from a panel of various local apprentices and employers, plus a keynote speech on social media from The Goat Farm owner, Vaughn Davis, and Sector Leader Phillip Ridge from the Canterbury Development Corporation talked about the skill demands in Canterbury.
“The trades offer great career opportunities,” says Rachel Hopkins, Competenz General Manager Marketing and Communications and Chair of the national Got a Trade Week campaign.
“New Zealand needs more skilled tradespeople. This means good employment prospects and opportunities to build successful careers, which may include owning a business one day and travelling overseas. It’s important that we continue to openly discuss with schools about how we can better provide career pathways to our trades industries.”
The event carries on from the Workchoice Teachers’ Day, Auckland in early August.
