Trade in Your Teen

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Parents with a secret desire to ‘trade in’ their teen, or at least upgrade them, might find an upcoming competition tempting.

Mitre 10 Trade in Your Teen is a dynamic, community competition to be held on the UCOL campus in Palmerston North and organised by the Made It Manawatu Trades Mentor.

During the Trade in Your Teen event on 18 June, four nominated teenagers will compete in an action packed series of tasks in four diverse trade challenges at the UCOL Atrium.

Teens will be nominated through local radio stations More FM and The Edge by family or friends who wish to “trade them in”. During the competition they will have to plaster a wall, arrange a vase of flowers, change a brake pad and perm a wig, all competing against the clock.

UCOL will provide the venue and one of the judges, Hairdressing lecturer Gillian Gosper. The Head of the School of Applied Technology, Marius Dryfhout says: “It’s great that UCOL’s tutors could come on board to provide the venue for Trade in your Teen; it’s an exciting competition encouraging young people to get into some really important and rewarding careers.

“UCOL has a really strong history of developing skilled tradespeople in a diverse range of trades from our Certificate in Carpentry to the Certificate in Hairdressing (Pre-Apprentice). Trades are in demand right now, and are personally rewarding so they’re a great option for young people to look into.”

Organiser Jacqui Phillips says: “Trades are important to our region and there are trade skills shortages internationally. New Zealand trade qualifications are highly valued all round the world. Where would we be without telecommunications technicians, pharmacy technicians, engineers, electricians, builders, drainlayers, hairdressers, and a whole lot of trades people?”

Nominations can be made by email; jasonw@morefm.co.nz or by texting TRADE to 3343. The competition is sponsored by Mitre 10 Mega with support from the Building and Construction Training Organisation and the New Zealand Motor Industry Training Organisation.

ENDS

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