Additional course for Trade Training Centre
The success of the Tokoroa Trade Training Centre has reached yet another high with the inclusion of a Certificate in Welding and Fabrication Level 4 to be introduced in the 2015 year.
The new certificate course, that delivers both the 'how to' of welding and the planning and total fabrication side too, will further the skill base of the participants, broadening their expertise and their employment opportunities.
The Trade Training Centre is a model that works when you combine the passion of local industry leaders in furthering the opportunities for young people; the financial and in-kind support of the South Waikato District Council that has funded the centre by purchasing equipment to the tune of $210,000, and the ability of a training provider to work with industry leaders on what they are looking for in an apprentice and delivering it.
A skills gap analysis in 2006 showed that local engineering and industrial firms were struggling to find engineering staff. A further study indicated that the South Waikato was losing its youth to larger metropolitans once they had finished school because of a lack of training opportunities to keep them here. Looking at these two issues separately was not the answer, but putting the two issues together - the answer was clear. Thanks to the financial support of South Waikato District Council, the educational support of Waiariki Institute of Technology and the drive and leadership of local engineering business owners and operators, the Tokoroa Trade Training Centre was born.
Waiariki trainer John Walls has worked at Waiariki for 27 years at several campuses in the area. With over five weeks left in the current training programme, the 2014 year is not yet over, and already ten of the students from the Tokoroa facility have offers of employment, eight of which are with South Waikato firms. This is exactly what the Trade Training Centre was set up to do.
Going back to the beginning, after just two years of operation, and to appeal to more school leavers, the course was made more attractive by including an automotive component which resulted in a Certificate in Engineering and Automotive. Several other tweaks and small enhancements have occurred over the years to best match the level to the desired outcomes. The course now attracts not only school leavers but people who are embarking on a change in career or further career advancement too. The Tokoroa courses fill up for the coming year, by the end of previous year, such is the demand.
Steering group member and business owner of South Waikato Precision Engineering (SWPE), Frank Aerts believes the quality of the course has improved every year, attracting a high calibre of student. SWPE has employed successful students from the course from the very beginning, two of whom still work at SWPE today.
"Getting a trade under your belt puts people on a career path of further development," said Mr Aerts. "At the core of this initiative is a committee of industry leaders who are strongly focussed, not only in terms of leading training opportunities, but in our commitment to the industry and particularly to growing our local economy and developing opportunities."
The course caters for around 17 students. Pass rates have increased steadily each year, from 70% in 2010 to 100% in 2013. Over the past three years more than half of the students enrolled in the course have either gone on to further learning or have found permanent employment.
Mayor of the South Waikato, Neil Sinclair has been an avid supporter of the initiative from the start and has advocated - and received - central government support. "The Trade Training Centre adds considerable value to Tokoroa and the South Waikato and aligns to Council's commitment to growing our economy and our youth. An additional positive outcome of the collaboration is the development of strong partnerships across the engineering and automotive sector. Businesses can now accept larger volumes of work comfortably knowing that they have the ability to confidently subcontract to one another. Firms can now pitch for work together outside the region in collaborative tenders."
"People don't realise just how much the South Waikato District Council is doing to support young people with training opportunities that result in careers starting in the South Waikato," said Maree Kendrick, Regional Development Manager at Waiariki.
Local firms behind the initiative include: Holsters, SWPE, Waratah, Garry's Garage, E&H Mechanical and ABB. Ends: words: 733
Caption: Local Tokoroa resident of 11 years, Aaron Bell has enjoyed both the automotive and engineering components of his current certificate, particularly the practical hands-on aspects. He has already signed up to the Welding and Fabrication course for 2015 and is looking forward to broadening his skill base while still on the lookout for employment.
