Dannevirke: Youngsters 'ill-equipped for work'

Scan power chief executive Lee Bettles

When a Dannevirke employer has 140 applicants for three jobs but ends up employing none of them it is a sign young people need help in preparing for the workforce.

And Dannevirke employers are adamant one of the most important attributes for young employees is attitude and they are going to work with schools and training organisations to ensure job candidates come prepared.

Dannevirke customer-owned company Scanpower needs a significant influx of young people to train to meet the big wave of work coming on a national scale, chief executive Lee Bettles said.

"In most of our trades there is a whole generation we've missed as apprentices and now the challenge is how best to attract young people.

"However, only one in four make it through their apprenticeship. That costs us money and knocks the confidence of the employee."

Mr Bettles said his company had young people who turned up and could not drive, but the biggest reason they failed was "emotional capability".

Emotional resilience and training for young people would make a significant difference, he added.

"We end up being their mum and dad."

Chris Edsall, regional manager of Downer and the Tararua Roading Alliance, said he was interested in the vocational pathways programme being advocated for the Tararua.

"I was one of the 70 per cent who left school without any tertiary education and started out cutting scrub alongside the road. Having no formal education has been quite difficult for me, especially when I'm presenting $40 million and $50 million tenders. I've had to take up study later in life."

Mr Edsall said when employing staff he looked for those with 30 per cent technical skills and 70 per cent attitude.

"There's a huge skills shortage and the Transmission Gully project will take people out of the district. General labourers could be earning between $30 and $50 an hour."

Mr Edsall said employees equipped with more life skills would be a big help in his business.

"Here in the Tararua we employ 50 staff and recently had 140 applicants for three jobs.

"We didn't employ anyone. If I had been given a curriculum vitae and someone was presented right they would have had a job."

Rachel Dalgleish, practice manager for MCI and Associates, said the main staff challenge was the shortage of skilled people in the area. "We place a strong emphasis on work-life balance and are also strong on employee training and development.

"We like to see young people leaving school with a good work ethic because that's what makes the difference."

Brendan Poole, the production manager at the Alliance meat processing plant in Dannevirke, said staff needed to be flexible and have a good attitude to their work.

"Our plant in Dannevirke has been future proofed and recognised as being one of the top performers."