Minister to Meet Trades Trainees at Hawkins’ CIAL Site

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

© Scoop Media