Got a Trade? Got it Made! Week is back for 2016. The national campaign to raise awareness of on-the-job training and careers in New Zealand’s trades and services is returning 22-26 August. The week also celebrates the talents and achievements of Kiwis making headway in their vocation.

The multi-channel campaign has been co-organised by Competenz and seven of the country’s industry training organisations representing more than 140 trades and services, including the manufacturing sector. Got a Trade will be promoted on TV, radio and via digital channels throughout August and into the beginning of September.

Competenz’ CEO Fiona Kingsford says that there are misconceptions on what a trade can represent. And that on-the-job training encompasses industries as diverse as manufacturing, to butcher, to refrigeration and air conditioning.

“Genuine career opportunities currently exist in 140 trades and services in New Zealand, yet the current housing crisis has led the public to mostly focus on the opportunities in the building and construction sectors,” said Kingsford.“The manufacturing sector is most in need and calling out for 40,000 new people for it to keep up with growth and demand in the next four years. That’s an astounding yet exciting number of people learning new skills and contributing to moving our economy forward.”In an increasingly technical world, the practical skills that can be gained in workplace training teach apprentices to help turn ideas, innovation and great thinking into reality.
“In today’s job market practical intelligence and technical trades are in very high demand, and this translates in to excellent earning potential,” said Kingsford.

Plastics graduate and 2016 Plastics Apprentice of the Year Ben Ellis (pictured) has been working in the industry since finishing school.

“I decided to apply for an apprenticeship with a local plastics company as the use of plastics is widespread throughout the world. The industry is very mechanical intensive which suits me,” said Ellis.

“I’ve completed my training at Alto Packaging focusing on injection moulding and thermoforming. I was able to spend time training in the tool room learning how to use mills and lathes and service moulding tools. I then was able to spend time in the maintenance workshop learning about welding, hydraulics, pneumatics and fitting work.”

Kingsford says young people like Ben will ultimately reap the rewards of a country demanding a skilled workforce.

“Trades and workplace training offers a genuine career pathway and there are rich opportunities for the trades in New Zealand now, with the well-documented skills shortage and the demand for skilled labour into the future.”

Employers benefit from training their people to nationally recognised qualifications.
“Businesses who employ apprentices are building the skills that help their operations run productively and safely, while lifting quality and reducing downtime and waste – as well as boosting employee confidence, job satisfaction and loyalty. All this means a more competitive business. It also means the industry as a whole benefits from a more skilled pool of talent,” says Kingsford.

“With only 28 percent of school leavers going to university, Got a Trade Week is about showcasing the opportunities that exist out there for the other 72 percent.”

Got a Trade Week will be launched at Parliament today, Monday 22 August. The week also features the Future Business Leader’s Forum and The Edge Got a Trade Future Business Leader’s Awards on Thursday 25 August where New Zealand’s ‘bright young things’ in trades and services will gather to learn about furthering their careers.