ALLIED WORKFORCE AND WELTEC PARTNER UP FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
3 September 2014
- The Top Carpentry Student at WelTec will be awarded a $5000 scholarship this year in an effort to ensure skilled
tradespeople are retained in Wellington.
- WelTec and Allied Workforce sign Memorandum of Understanding on getting construction and engineering graduates into
work.
“There is a significant labour market shortage of skilled trades people in Wellington,” says Mark Sorenson of Allied
Workforce. “My company has decided the best way to address this is to reward the top performing student with a $5000
scholarship which can be put towards the student’s fees, toolkit or transportation – basically whatever helps them get
into employment in Wellington and stay there.
“The Wellington employment market is buoyant with many construction and engineering jobs available. We want to encourage
students to complete their qualification and we will offer the top student a job at the end of their programme. We
figure this is a pretty good incentive for a young person to do well with their study and it will put them on the right
path to success in the construction industry. Part of the package includes continuing on into a level 4 carpentry
cadetship with WelTec so in time we’ll benefit from having a highly skilled tradesperson on the payroll.
“Investing in our company’s future workforce is a sound business decision and one that will pay off. We think other
employers should consider taking the same approach. Next year we’ll look to expand the scholarship and bring in other
trades across WelTec,” says Mark Sorenson.
“WelTec is committed to not just providing students with quality qualifications, but also investing in the talent
pipeline that delivers to employers potential staff who have just what is needed to succeed in the workplace and in
their own futures,” said Linda Sissons, Chief Executive WelTec.
“This Memorandum of Understanding that we are signing today signifies a great partnership with a local employer,” says
Linda Sissons WelTec’s Chief Executive. “We know there is strong demand for our graduates. With our new School of
Construction currently being built off State Highway 2 and the major investment into our School of Engineering this year
we want to get the message out that there are jobs at the end of your qualification so come and study with us and you’ll
be set for an outstanding career,” says Linda Sissons.
Thomas Becker (pictured alongside student Trent Dougal outside one of the houses the students are building as part of
their carpentry qualification) says, “It’s hard to find an apprenticeship without a pre-trade qualification. This is an
awesome opportunity. I’ll be applying.”
Regional School of Construction Background Information
WelTec’s School of Construction will be completed by February 2015. Images of the build are attached. They show the
concrete wall slabs which are currently being erected. The ground floor of the School is 1500m2 with the mezzanine floor
comprising 450m2. Structural steel will be in place next week to support the upper floor.
The overall budget for the project is $4.92M.
The building contains workshops and a theory space on the ground floor, with more theory spaces, a student break-out
area and staff offices on the first floor.
Site Occupancy: 218 students and staff
Programmes to be delivered on site will include Carpentry, Painting and Decorating, Masonry, Tiling, Plastering and
Landscaping
ENDS