October 15, 2004

Kawerau trades centre the key to industrial future

The development of a centre offering high-level training in maintenance and modern production is being hailed by the country’s largest union as the way forward for New Zealand manufacturing.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little, speaking at today’s launch of the Kawerau centre, said that it would lift the skills in the manufacturing sector, making more complex technology viable.

“This will enable us to compete in manufacturing on the basis of high skills and high technology, and, ultimately, lifting productivity,” he said.

“We want to make this the centre of excellence for the whole of Australasisa. This has to be the future of manufacturing in New Zealand if we are to compete globally.”

The EPMU has been involved in the project from the beginning, and contributed financially towards it.

Mr Little paid tribute to others involved in the centre, including Norske Skog, Fonterra and Kawerau College, for their foresight in supporting it.

ENDS

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