Got A Trade? Got It Made! Week begins today.
‘Got a Trade? Got it Made!’ Week starts today, celebrating 148,000 apprentices and industry trainees making a difference
every day in over 140 trades and services.
These are skilled Kiwis working across our economy: building, repairing, restoring, manufacturing, farming, producing,
processing, cooking, serving, hosting, entertaining, beautifying, caring, coaching, and supporting.
There are now more apprentices and trainees than university students, and New Zealand is crying out for more, due to
skills shortages in many industries and regions. Trainees and apprentices learn on-the-job and get paid while they get
qualified, rather than rack up student loans.
"There is more than one way to launch a career," says ITF Chief Executive Josh Williams. "Got A Trade? Got It Made is
about showing young people, schools, and mums and dads the massively exciting range of options where you can 'earn and
learn' as a trainee or apprentice."
During the week, we'll be showcasing Got A Trade! heroes from a broad range of trades and services. Fifty outstanding
young trainees will attend the Got A Trade Future Leaders Forum and the 2017 Industry Training Awards, hosted at
Parliament by Industry Training Minister Hon Louise Upston.
Each and every trainee and apprentice also represents a commitment by employers to skill up the next generation. "By
taking on apprentices and trainees employers are not just giving young people a chance but also giving back to their
industries. We call on more employers to join in by getting in touch with their Industry Training Organisations.
"We also invite any future government to provide stronger support to those employers that are taking on young trainees
and apprentices, especially in the early stages of their careers.”
Find out more about Got a Trade! Week: www.gotatrade.co.nz
ENDS