8 August 2012
Minister to Meet Trades Trainees at Hawkins’ CIAL Site
Tomorrow, Wednesday morning, the Hon Paula Bennett, Minister for Social Development and Employment, will go behind the
scenes at Christchurch International Airport (CIAL) to pay a special visit to the terminal upgrade construction site,
where she will meet some enterprising young workers currently employed by Hawkins.
Two of the workers are gaining practical experience on-site as part of a unique trades training initiative focused on
building Maori capability and leadership within the trades workforce. This has evolved through Hawkins’ partnership with
Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and involvement with He Toki ki te Rika (He Toki), a collaborative Maori trade training
established within the Christchurch Polytech Institute of Technology (CPIT).
Also in line to meet the Minister are two apprentices Hawkins Construction have employed from schemes run by Work and
Income New Zealand.
“Hawkins is a great supporter of practical learning in the workplace and is delighted to provide the opportunity for
these trainees. The benefit of this approach is that we can support local people into the industry and ultimately widen
the potential labour pool which can only be good for the regional rebuild,” says Steve Taw, Hawkins Construction South
Island Operations Manager.
ENDS