Skilled hands needed to help train youngsters

Help is needed to run INTRANZ and organisers would be grateful for any time that can be given by Wanganui people. Photo/File

Calling all retired or semi-retired tradesmen, or even someone still working fulltime but who can give a little voluntarily.

If that general brief fits you, then the team at INTRANZ in Castlecliff is ready to make you welcome.

Dave Ritchie and Andrew Bailey are the tutors running the industry-based training institute in Gilberd St that was set up in 2010.

The pair are guiding the 11th intake of school leavers through the six-month-long course aimed at giving the youngsters a good grounding in the real world of full-time work so when they do get a job they can hit the factory floor running.

But Mr Ritchie said he and Mr Bailey have their hands full running the courses.

"We could do with some extra pairs of hands because it would allow us more time for lesson preparation and future development of our course."

So what sort of people would they welcome aboard?

"Any retired or semi-retired tradesperson and preferably with skill in light or heavy engineering fabrication," Mr Ritchie said.

"But really we'll take anyone, be it someone with a background the automotive, electrical or plumbing field, really any tradesperson who wants to give back a little to their chosen profession."

He said the tutor "help" would definitely have a hands-on role teaching with the students, passing on their knowledge in a practical way out in the workshop.

"This would allow Andrew and myself more time to concentrate on the theory side of the course.

"We'd like to see them helping out two to three hours a day, five days a week. But we would be grateful for any hours/days they are willing to assist us," Mr Ritchie said.

And he said getting those extra pairs of hands would give INTRANZ the opportunity to expand the number and types of courses it is currently offering.

He said in order of priority they hoped to get a response from tradespeople with skills in mig, tig and stick welding, machining (lathe and milling), light fabrication such as sheet-metal working, automotive, plumbing and gas fitting, and electrical.

INTRANZ is a YMCA-administered programme created to satisfy a perceived need within the Castlecliff industrial hub.

Those industries wanted an organisation to prepare these young people with enough skills to give them a head start when they started work.

To contact INTRANZ phone (06) 344 1010 or email dave@intranz.org.nz