Young people missing a career opportunity

MEDIA RELEASE

17 February 2005

Young people missing a career opportunity

Nation-wide contracting company Fulton Hogan is offering fees scholarships, holiday work and careers. But is puzzled by the lack of interest.

“We have advertised scholarships for the Diploma in Civil Engineering at WelTec for 2006 but have only had a minimal response,” says Fulton Hogan Wellington Regional Manager Bill Caradus. “It’s a concern for the industry and a lost opportunity for young people.”

Fulton Hogan’s business is in roading and civil engineering infrastructure projects. It employs over 4,000 employees around New Zealand and Australia.

“In this industry we have people with a range of qualifications from none at all to those with technical diplomas and degrees. Fulton Hogan values practical, technical level people with a can-do attitude. Many of our senior staff have technical qualifications from institutes like WelTec and have progressed their careers from technical engineer level to both senior management and project management positions,” says Mr Caradus.

“Unless we continue to train technical engineers then we are going to run into a major shortage in the future. We have one already and often have to resort to looking overseas to fill current vacancies.

“The sharp end of our business is the guys and machines in the field constructing and repairing our roads and infrastructure, however behind these guys are the people who do the technical planning, organise the resources, price, design, survey, set out, report and manage the work and manage the day to day business,” says Mr Caradus.

“The industry offers great opportunities – really good career jobs that are well paid.

“We’re looking for sixth and seventh formers with the right subjects from school who meet the entry criteria. And we’re not only talking about young men. Women can be equally successful in this business,” says Mr Caradus.

Fulton Hogan and WelTec say it’s not too late to take advantage of the offer. Students ready to start studying immediately can still apply for this year.

ENDS

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