A graduation ceremony scheduled for Lyttelton tomorrow has had to be cancelled because students on the course have run away to sea.

But local MP David Carter says it's "great news"

All 14 students on Work Peninsula's commercial fishing course have gained employment, and will be out at sea working tomorrow .

Ironically their success in finding work has meant the cancellation of their graduation ceremony.

"This is a tremendous achievement by Work Peninsula. 100 percent employment is a success rate to be proud of. Some of these students had been long-term unemployed, one as long as three years, before this course turned their prospects around," said Mr Carter.

The 14 students are now working on commercial vessels based in ports as far apart as Bluff and Auckland. One student has even gained employment on a foreign vessel fishing for Austral Fisheries, an Australian based company.

Work Peninsula has run its commercial fishing course for three years now and of the 125 students who have completed the course, 100 of them have since found jobs.

"Banks Peninsula can be proud of this local employment initiative. Work Peninsula has proven that given the right skills and attitude, local people can be helped to find work in the fishing industry."

ENDS

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