Just the job for students

While companies lament the apparent shortage of people to fill vacancies and the Government tries to tempt back expats, an annual event that brings together employers and job hunters is being given the cold shoulder by some of the country's top firms, among them Telecom, Yellow Pages, Bank of New Zealand, Telstra Clear and Government-owned Kiwibank.

Workchoice Day is being held in six weeks and organisers, the Workchoice Trust, say the event is an ideal opportunity for firms to give school leavers a peek into their businesses and promote career options.

Kathy Williams, national manager for the trust, which has been running the event for 10 years, says it is a great opportunity for everyone.

"Not all school-leavers will go to university, so seeing real alternatives to further education first-hand is an ideal way to set career objectives. People need to understand there is nothing wrong with being a plumber or an electrician. They are in-demand trades you can use the world over.

"Even today, 20 per cent of those employed work in retail. And for those going to university, Workchoice Day offers a taster for the types of careers open to them."

Last year, the event was supported by more than 450 companies who met about 9000 year 12 students from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. This year, only 6000 students nationwide can be helped as only 350 companies are taking part. "Last year, more companies were saying they were too busy. That trend is continuing."

Workchoice Day students can pick two companies to tour from the Workchoice list. They meet managers and staff, have an opportunity to ask questions and find out how the industry ticks.

URS New Zealand, an engineering and environmental management consultancy employing around 225 engineers, scientists, planners and risk managers, took part in last year's Workchoice Day and plans to do so again.

HR manager Tony Brown says it doesn't have many positions for school-leavers, but the event helps to build relationships with those going to university.

"Of the 30 or so students who came last year, one has contacted us for more information about working as a geotechnical engineer and another is to spend three days in our engineering department."

Last year, students from Auckland Girls' Grammar School who visited the company were asked to consider the challenges involved in building a new road. "We were really impressed with the questions they asked and the solutions presented. It was a good brainstorming session."

Williams says though career counsellors at schools offer good advice there is no real system that links education and employers.

"Counsellors give general advice to students exploring career options but aren't always able to put them in touch with potential employers. We are attempting to bridge that gap," said Williams.

Students from Auckland's Edgewater College took part last year. The college's careers support assistant, Judi Tredwell, says the value of visiting companies is that students are exposed to a working environment. "Last year's experience opened up choices to students in production and retail, areas that students don't always really think of as career options, but the visits led to some students going on to get jobs as a result.

"Employers who know they have problems in recruiting should make the effort to help change students' perceptions and promote jobs within their industries."

Because fewer companies are taking part this year, Williams is turning students away. "We are not meeting student demand in the engineering, manufacturing, computer IT, hospitality and health areas," she says.

"With unemployment at a record low and skill shortages on every employer's mind, what better time for industry to open its doors to students who have expressed an interest in seeing them at work?"

It appears that industry and Government are crying out for people to fill a range of jobs, but they don't seem prepared or able to give students a chance to meet them.

Williams says many of the companies her organisation is approaching say they are too short-staffed to spend the time meeting potential future employees.

"Companies have trimmed back staff to be more efficient to the point where there is no one available to meet possible new recruits."

Williams says among those that have refused to take part are New Zealand Post, the Bank of New Zealand, Carter Holt Harvey, Telecom, TelstraClear, Kiwibank, Goodman Fielder, Heinz, the University of Auckland, and Yellow Pages.

The Bank of New Zealand says it is "unable to give the event the focus it needs". Telecom says it has its own scheme for students.

"Workchoice Trust staff contacted more than 1500 companies and organisations to be involved," says Williams. "We constantly hear about staff shortages but these and other companies are too busy or too short-staffed to host students.

"When we hear that, our answer is, 'Even more reason to be involved and inform students where the real jobs are'."

Williams is surprised that though the Government is begging expats to come home to fill the skills gap, its own Kiwibank is not taking part in the May 17 event.

The bank's office in Wellington employs 400 people. Its spokesman says the organisation "doesn't have the resources available" to take part.

Williams says the success of Workchoice Day is "totally dependent on the participation of employers". The trust is not Government-funded. To take part organisations pay $850. Multiple sites pay $1700.

"As the Workchoice Trust is an incorporated charitable trust, the contribution is tax deductible," says Williams. "Some companies resist payment, saying they are doing enough by hosting and it is a sad thing if this is the reason they do not participate."

Trust helps students to find a career

The Workchoice Trust was formed in 1994 to develop and support programmes which help high-school students to prepare for and choose careers, with support from employer organisations and their staff.

Trust objectives

* Developing, managing and supporting education and employment-related programmes.

* The promotion of career-oriented programmes to employers.

* The support of students, especially in post-secondary education and career-oriented training.

* Seeking the support of employers and educational organisations for career-oriented programmes and education for students.

* Supporting others involved in programmes which meet these overall objectives and other purposes that are of benefit to the community in New Zealand.

* The trust aims to use the support of employers and act as a catalyst to bring together employers, schools and students.

Student demand for this year

Hospitality & travel
Recreation and sport
Design and drama
Health
Media and advertising

* Call 0800 931 080 or (09) 916 0200.