6 September 2011

CESB welcomes Government plans for new Christchurch trades academy

The Canterbury Employment and Skills Board (CESB) welcomes Minister Anne Tolley's announcement that the existing Christchurch Trades Academy will be expanded to provide places for three times as many students next year.

Simon Worthington, member of the Canterbury Employment and Skills Board, said a strong focus on education and training in Canterbury is the best way to up-skill and train the significant number of workers needed in the region.

"Young people need to understand the unprecedented opportunities the rebuild is handing them. Not only will they be able to gain valuable industry experience but they will learn life-long skills resulting in real benefits for them and their families."

Mr Worthington said increasing places at the Canterbury Tertiary College from 148 to 550 students would provide a welcome boost. The Trades Academy will offer courses such as electrical engineering, carpentry, construction, plumbing and more.

"These are the type of courses that help build the workforce for the future as well as providing a boost to the local economy," he said.

The Canterbury Employment and Skills Board is currently working with employers, training providers and the Government to identify the training and skills needed now and in the long-term.

"We are committed to creating an environment where both the supply and demand sides of the labour market can meet and work together effectively," says Mr Worthington.

The Board is also working alongside agencies such as Careers New Zealand to help plan and implement the right job searches, and to coordinate employment seminars around the country in local Work

and Income centres.

If you would like to learn more about the working and training opportunities in Canterbury, please visit www.cesb.org.nz or Career New Zealand's website www.careers.govt.nz for further employment information.

ENDS

© Scoop Media