Highlighting success will be a key focus during next week’s ‘Got a Trade? Got it Made!’ week.
It will celebrate the 148,000 apprentices and industry trainees who work every day in over 140 trades and services.
“We want young people to know about the massive range of job opportunities that offer the chance to ‘earn and learn’,” says Industry Training Federation chief executive Josh Williams.
“You can get paid and get qualified, and launch successful careers without racking up a student loan.”
The number of apprentices and industry trainees now exceeds the number of university students, Williams says.
“New Zealand is crying out for more apprentices: There are major skills shortages in industries such as automotive, building and construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, retail, aged care, community support, electro-technology, the list goes on.”
“Employing young people in growing industries is a win-win. Training on-the-job develops the right skills at the right time, and individual growth translates into the regional and economic growth the country needs,” says Williams.
Plasterer Ricky Dewes left school at 16 to find a trade, and went on to become apprentice of the year in both New Zealand and Australia, and Got a Trade! hero.
His advice to young people is, if you want to own your own home, become an apprentice.
