AGC Training hosting mock recruitment day at Cooks Gardens

Sandor Chernoff (left) with newest AGC Training education and employment broker Koert Wegman. Photo / Supplied

Secondary school students who have an eye on joining the defence force or emergency services will get a taste of what they're all about this month.

AGC Training (formerly AG Challenge) is hosting a mock recruitment day at Cooks Gardens on June 30, with the New Zealand Defence Force, Whanganui Army Reserves, New Zealand Cadets, Fire and Emergency, and St John in attendance.

AGC education and employment broker Sandor Chernoff said each entity had a different recruitment process, and often they were "quite competitive".

"In order to prepare the students and give them an advantage, we're letting them come face to face with those recruiters, and with people from those worlds of work," Chernoff said.

"Then when they get to the actual day they'll know what to expect and there are no surprises.

"They would have prepared themselves."

There were 140 different roles across the defence force, Chernoff said, but those applying for them would be up against "a whole bunch of talented young adults" from across the country.

"Essentially, it's a competition.

"With an event like this we are giving our young people a headstart. The people they'll meet at this event will be the same people they'll meet on the actual recruitment day."

Local kura kaupapa Māori had identified that a lot of their ākonga were interested in those particular pathways, Chernoff said.

"They will have students from Year 7 to Year 13, so we will have juniors there as well.

"The kura have also invited all the mainstream seniors who have identified as being on a pathway to the defence force or emergency response.

"Whanganui High School, Girls College, Cullinane and Rangitikei will be sending small groups along."

The army reserves suggested the event be held at Cooks Gardens, Chernoff said.

"There's a track for the 2.8 km run, and for the fire service there's also a good set of stairs to run up and down with your oxygen tanks.

"They are going to be exhausted by the end of it. It'll be a very physical day."

Chernoff said Sport Whanganui and the Whanganui DHB would also be at the event.

"There's a physical component to all these jobs, so Sport Whanganui will be 'role modelling' and promoting the message of being active and looking after yourself properly."

AGC Training's job was to try to "build better relationships between schools and the world of work", Chernoff said.

"That's so young people can get face to face with role models and test their hypotheses about the future.

"You can say 'I really want to be in the army' but you won't know until you've really clapped eyes on it and tried it."

Te Hononga Kura Kahui Ako: Mock NZDF & Emergency Services Careers Day is on June 30 at Cooks Gardens. The event runs from 9.30am to 2.30pm.