A taste of the trades

On International Women’s Day, more than 60 school pupils, career changers and mums visited the WITT Te Pūkenga Infrastructure Training Park on Connett Road in Bell Block to get a taste of the trades. The combined Chamber Hub, WITT Te Pūkenga and MSD event saw 20 people from 14 different industry training providers and organisations, including WITT trade tutors and Project Maunga representatives, provide hands-on activities to give visitors an insight into the range of training and jobs available in the sector.

“Taranaki has billions of dollars’ worth of construction projects lined up over the next few years with a shortfall of construction workers in the thousands. Only 2.6% of the current construction sector is made up of women, and the industry is crying out for more. Women are highly valued in the trades and sometimes all it takes is having a go to realise that it’s a career they could thrive in,” says WITT Te Pūkenga Project Maunga – Workforce Development and Social Procurement Katrina Mayo.

Charlise Graham, who visited with her Why Ora Kaiārahi Liahna Smith has realised through her cadetship placement as an administrator at Te Whatu Ora in New Plymouth that she would be better suited to a hands-on role and was exploring her options.

“Through my internship I’ve realised I am better outside in a practical role than behind a computer,” says Charlise.

Opunake High School ākonga Karina Jane, who was accompanied by Te Kāhui Maru  Vocational Pathways Coordinator Hineakura Tokotaua, is eyeing up a career as an electrician. She was able to see what pre-trades training is on offer as well as the options of training as an electrician through the Defence Force. She says the variety and the ability to work anywhere in the world makes trades jobs appealing.

The Infrastructure Training Park was the ideal space to hold the event which included a shelter for industry stands and information sharing, room for Te Waka Kai, the WITT food caravan,  and space for hands-on activities like driving a Bobcat and having a go on the tools.

The training park was opened last year with the aim to help address the skills and capability gap within the civil construction sector by providing a simulated work site for ākonga to hone their practical work skills.

Thanks to Offshore Plumbing Services and Axiom Training as major contributors to the success of the event.