PSA media release 22 March

Apprentices needed in public service - PSA

The government's Modern Apprenticeship Scheme should be extended to the public service, the country's biggest state sector union - the PSA - said today.

National secretary Richard Wagstaff said the PSA welcomed 'both the intent and the detail' of the scheme announced by the Prime Minister and called for 'its philosophy and thrust to be brought into the public sector.

'A pilot program along very similar lines should be in place this year - that's our objective,' he said.

'We want and need to encourage young people into working in the public service and seeing it as a valuable and progressive choice of career,' he said.

'Such a move would sit well with the PSA's Partnership for Quality approach which is about improving both the quality of jobs - and that means skills, training and career structures - and the quality of delivery of public services,' he said.

The public sector must again have an important role in the education and training of young New Zealanders,' he said.

'We are keen to work with the relevant ministers, the State Services Commission and chief executives to explore this and get things happening,' Mr Wagstaff said..

'I would be surprised if anyone would have any opposition to such an idea,' he said.

For more comment please call Richard Wagstaff on 025 2778131
or the PSA media person Colin Williams on (04) 917 2039 or 025 575839

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