Unison Contracting Building Futures

Unison Contracting Building Futures

Friday 14 September 2012 – As part of an on-going talent development strategy, Unison Contracting Services Ltd has continued to provide new employment opportunities within the region, hiring eight people into trainee roles this year.

This is the second targeted recruitment drive the Company has executed as part of its strategy to meet future workflow and succession needs, initially hiring seven trainees in 2009. With the 2009 intake completing their qualifications in 2012, Unison Contracting Services (UCSL) has employed a further four trainee line mechanics and four apprentice electricians in 2012, spread across its Hawke’s Bay, Taupo and Rotorua depots.

“There is a national and global shortage of experienced technical personnel, and to address this risk to our business, we are developing our own resources,” said UCSL Chief Executive Officer, Charles Kaka.

With an aging New Zealand workforce, and the roll out of Unison Networks’ smart grid technologies, Mr Kaka said it was important to attract youth into the electrical sector to meet the future needs of the industry.

“We anticipate that to meet our needs over the next three to five years, we will need to recruit approximately six new trainees each year. This provides us the opportunity to offer career pathways in a growth industry, and we are committed to extending this to local people within our regions.”

UCSL earlier this year signed a memorandum of understanding with Ngati Kahungunu, committing to offer employment opportunities to Maori youth as part of the Iwi’s ‘CliK’ programme.

“As a result of our focus on providing opportunities to our local community, we have developed a network for recruiting people who can show a willingness to learn, a passion for the industry and a positive attitude. Through our contacts with the U-Turn Trust, the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ngati Kahungunu, local high schools, and staff relationships, we attracted over sixty applicants in our last recruitment drive,” said Mr Kaka.

The Government and the Electrical Supply Industry Training Organisation (ESITO) are developing nation-wide initiatives that aim to address the industry talent shortage. ESITO has partnered with the Ministry of Maori Development to create cadetships for Maori youth, and ESITO pathway programme ‘Ultimit’ focuses on attracting women into the industry.

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