Businesses open doors to students

Hayes International apprentice Juan Fourie. Photo / Stephan Parker

Bay businesses are investing in their future by opening their doors to school leavers and their parents.

Industry training organisation Competenz is working side-by-side with industry to promote apprenticeships, on-the-job training and careers in New Zealand's trades and services during Got A Trade Week 2015, which runs from August 21 to 28.

It has partnered with forestry and engineering firms in Rotorua, and more than 30 nationwide, for Competenz Discovery Tours.

These will give school leavers and parents a chance to explore the workplace, see live demonstrations and meet apprentices already working in the industry.

In Tauranga next Tuesday, the butchery at Farmer Jones in Tauranga will open its doors for students to get a closer look at the industry.

In Rotorua next Thursday, August 27, Interpine, Scion and Hayes International will open their doors for a closer look into the forestry and engineering industries.

On Friday, Quality Print in Taupo will hold a tour.

"New Zealand doesn't have enough skilled tradesmen or enough young people coming through," said Hayes International human resources manager Marion Clarricoats.

"We need to get young people through earlier so they know what's out there and what other opportunities there are. If you've never seen something how do you know it exists?"

She said they had five apprentices as well as other students in the workshop to try to build the number of skilled tradesmen in the city.

"We're looking at the next 10 to 40 years. We want Hayes to be strong and have good tradesmen carrying on the legacy of the last 55 years," she said.