Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson and local candidate Rob McCann have visited Ōtaki College to hear how the local Work Ready Passport initiative was working.
The Work Ready Passport aims to equip youth with the attitude and skills to make a successful transition from school into training and employment.
Mr Robertson met with Bruce Morgan, Business Development Manager of the Work Ready Passport, Peter Jackson from Peter Jackson Plumbing, Deputy Principal Hamish Wood from Ōtaki College and students Sione Mae and Claudia Graham who are progressing through the programme.
The students said they found the work programme really useful, and that it helps in a practical way to prepare them for work. Peter Jackson from Peter Jackson Plumbing said this type of preparation makes a real difference, getting students ready for that interview and helping them to understand what an employer requires.
“What is really pleasing to see,” said Mr Roberston, “was the local businesses community, educators and local council, recognising how important it is to ensure our students leave school with the right tools to enter the workforce. Labour will ensure all secondary schools throughout New Zealand and the Ōtaki Electorate participate in this type of programme. We will introduce a School Leavers’ Toolkit which includes many of the items that are proving so successful on the Kāpiti Coast,” said Mr Robertson.
“Labour will also ensure every student has professional and personalised career advice before leaving high school,” says Mr Robertson. “It is part of a suite of education initiatives that include three free years tertiary education, and our apprenticeship scheme which will see students going into paid apprenticeships with businesses. This local initiative comes at a time when there are fewer apprenticeships than there were in 2007. We understand just how important apprenticeships are both for New Zealand and getting our students into work.”
