12 April 2011

**Don't leave Christchurch to train trades on its own**

It is good that the Prime Minister is looking at offering sweeteners to encourage people into trades training for the rebuild of earthquake ravaged Christchurch says TEU national president Sandra Grey, but that training cannot come solely from Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT).

"There are polytechnics around the country with capacity to help with this project, many of which are currently making staff redundant because of lack of government support for trades training."

"CPIT has a crucial role to play getting Christchurch rebuilt, and it will need a lot of support to undertake that role. However, it need not do the job on its own."

Immigration New Zealand currently says there are immediate skills shortages that need addressing in construction engineering and trades, around the country, not just in Christchurch.

"The government needs to take a more holistic and longer term approach to trades training. Rather than just supporting one embattled polytechnic, the prime minister should be talking about a nationwide trades-training plan that supports the whole network of polytechnics and industry training organisations and apprentices," said Dr Grey.

"We need to do this, not only to rebuild Christchurch but to the support the construction and growth in Auckland and to help New Zealand out of our economic struggles."
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