Following the announcement that more than 340 schools will be funded to run events promoting vocational education, the Government has announced it will fund a further 257 events to be run by employers and industry.

“These industry-run events will allow more than 30,000 students to connect with more than 2,000 employers in a range of activities that will help the students find out what different industries are all about,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins said.

“This is on top of the 85,000 students and 4,000 employers who will benefit from the schools-based events we announced earlier this year, and further demonstrates this government’s commitment to promoting vocational education to young people, and boosting the numbers of people studying the skills we need in the workforce.”

The 257 industry-led events, which will be run by 32 industry bodies, industry training organisations (ITOs), community groups, local government and other organisations, will allow industry to connect students, teachers and whānau to their work, and showcase the great opportunities that exist in their sectors.

“The events will include a range of strategically important sectors including construction and infrastructure, primary industries, engineering (including automotive), social and community services, tourism, retail and hospitability, and the technology and creative sectors,” Chris Hipkins says.

Warwick Quinn, Chief Executive, Building & Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) says he’s proud to support the Government and employers in the construction industry by being part of this innovative initiative.

“With more than 80,000 new and replacement job openings predicted in the construction industry in the next five years, these career seeker events are a fantastic way to introduce people eager for an apprenticeship and a successful trade career to employers who are focused on training the skilled industry workforce we need to meet demand,” Warwick Quinn says.

-TIN Bureau