As an employer do you have trouble recruiting employees? NZMAC ITO may be able to help.
A new initiative introduced in 2016 by the Ministry of Education and TEC, is helping employers recruit employees for the marine, composite, and marina businesses in Auckland, Hamilton, and Whangarei.
The School to Work concept is a simple one. Through recommendations from careers personnel, presentations to technology classes and careers expos, the NZMAC ITO School to Work Transition Advisor is matching talented and suitable students with employers. Students are introduced to a workplace, usually for 1 or 2 days per week, while they continue studying at school. Students earn credits towards a nationally recognised Level 4 qualification and NCEA level 2 or 3.
This programme gives students a chance to sample industry training while acquiring some valuable skills and authentic work place experiences. The placement gives employers time to see how the student works and whether they are a good fit for their company and progression into apprenticeship training. Students who have traditionally been advised into building, plumbing, and electrical trades are being exposed to NZMAC ITO training pathways in boat building, marine systems engineering, composites, cabinet making, and marina operations.
One student who has now transitioned from a 2 day School to Work placement at Seacraft Miller Moyes into fulltime employment is 18 year old Thomas Dixon. Formerly a student at Michael Park School, Thomas knew he was keen to learn a trade, but was uncertain about what career path to explore. Practically capable, working on carpentry and electrical projects at home, Thomas jumped at the chance to learn new skills outside of the classroom and gain a valuable insight into an industry he had not otherwise considered. Thomas finds the diversity of work stimulating and enjoys the team environment at Seacraft Miller Moyes. Work mates have commented on his problem solving skills and his ability to think outside the square.
“One of the things I really liked about the programme”, reports Melanie Bray careers advisor at Thomas’s school, “was that it allowed Thomas to take a mini-step into the industry without having to make the hard decision to leave school totally”. The School to Work initiative allowed Thomas to be introduced to a whole new world in a supported way from NZMAC ITO. Thomas now has set his goals firmly on an apprenticeship in Production Composite Trailer Boat Building and is chuffed that School to Work gave him the knowledge to make his own decision in navigating his way forward into an exciting career in the marine industry.
For further information, contact Tracey Eaton, NZMAC ITO Schools Transition Advisor [email protected]
