Friday 2 November 2012

Taumarunui Maori train with UCOL for Christchurch rebuild

North Island polytechnic UCOL is partnering with iwi to equip young Taumarunui Maori with the skills to help in the Christchurch rebuild.

The project is the North Island arm of an initiative by Christchurch-based Te Kaihanga Cooperative. The cooperative is supporting the training of young Maori to take part in the rebuild, including with South Island training providers.

The Taumarunui project is supported by the Hinengakau Development Trust in Taumarunui, with help from the Ministry of Social Development Te Puni Kokiri and the local council.

Thirteen students in Taumarunui are now doing preliminary training before completing UCOL’s pre-apprenticeship Carpentry certificate next year. UCOL’s Programme Leader for Construction, Danny Reilly, says the students will complete in time to start work in Christchurch as apprentices towards the end of next year.

“The latest information from CERA is that nearly 29,000 additional construction workers will be needed in Christchurch, with a peak demand from the fourth quarter of 2013,” he says. “By then our Taumarunui team will be well equipped to contribute.”

The project has been championed by Taumarunui-based lawyer and Te Puni Kokiri business broker Graham Bell and chairman of the Te Kaihanga Cooperative Board, Barry Baker. The Cooperative’s Christchurch-based members, all graduates of a Maori Trades Training Scheme in the 1960-80s, are offering apprenticeships to the Taumarunui students who complete the UCOL Carpentry certificate.

Mr Baker says the Taumarunui initiative is an excellent and direct way for North Island organisations, including UCOL, to help provide the skills that are needed for the Christchurch rebuild.

Graham Bell says the initiative is a fit with Taumarunui’s part in the Government’s Social Sector Trials which aim to create better outcomes for young people in the area. Danny Reilly adds that the project is also in line with UCOL’s drive to improve educational outcomes for Maori. “The importance of that is reflected in the great attitude shown by our 13 young Maori students,” he says. “They’ve hit the ground running, keen to learn all they can so they can make a useful contribution to the rebuild – and build themselves a productive career.”

The launch of the project in Taumarunui on Tuesday 23 October was attended by the partners in the initiative, as well as the 13 students and the Mayor of Taumarunui Sue Morris.

ends

© Scoop Media