Dannevirke: Big focus on finding openings for youth

Lee Bettles

Establishing a vocational pathways partnership is not about solving a problem but providing opportunities for our district's young people to enable them to make the most of better outcomes for their future and our community.

At the second community workshop, held in Dannevirke, Lee Bettles, chief executive of Scanpower, outlined the first initial steps formulated by the employers sub-group.

"On the industry side, we have no problem in trying to address the situation with blunt solutions," he said.

Mr Bettles explained how, at the moment, between three and four apprentices were not getting through their training.

"It's not good for morale. We still feel apprentices don't fail for academic reasons, it's emotional or lifestyle skills and, as a sub-group, we looked at what were the gaps."

Local industry leaders are proposing a 15-day access course.

"It will be a passport to work," Mr Bettles said. "We will add value on the first day of the course and build emotional resilience."

Aspects covered will include what is acceptable when going for an interview and the course would look at things from a practical perspective.

Employers will work with Dannevirke High School and Tararua College on the initiatives.

Tararua District Mayor Roly Ellis said Mr Bettles and his group were going in the right direction.

"We are going to get a lot of mileage from other employers in the community who will want to take this initiative up."

Mr Ellis was adamant the community partnership was about taking action.

"Let's do stuff and get some action and not get bogged down with rules and regulations."