Employer meet held
Students from Ka¯ piti and Paraparaumu colleges were given the opportunity to meet potential employers at the first ever #EmployerMeet held at Ka¯ piti College last week.
Twenty-five students were interviewed by Ka¯ piti employers at the first meet up hosted by Work Ready Ka¯ piti.
The event was designed to give aspiring students more contact with local employers and increase their experience and confidence when applying for jobs. The programme supports young, local people getting into work and aims to build enduring relationships with local employers.
Work Ready Ka¯ piti chairman Bryan Gundersen said support from local businesses continues to grow.
“We had a range of employers involved — Caci Ka¯ piti, Cafe´ Te Horo, Goodman Contractors Limited, KiwiBank Ka¯ piti, NZ Police, Oasis Coffee Cart, Pak’nSave Ka¯ piti, Pzazz Building Ka¯ piti, Star People HR & Recruitment, The Law Connection, and Thomson Plumbing and Gasfitting.
“Employers, parents, teachers and students recognise Work Ready Ka¯ piti offers useful tools to help youth into employment.
“Those that go through our programme leave with a real advantage.”
Caci Clinic owner Donna Rider said she took part because she wants to help more youth be better prepared to enter the workforce.
“Ka¯ piti is a vibrant, growing community.
“I want to encourage our young people to put their hand up, say yes, and give it a go.
“We also need to ensure our economy continues to grow so we can support more young people to live and work in Ka¯ piti.”
Students at last night’s event said it gave them more confidence and opened their eyes to a bigger future of possibilities.
Kim Kelly from Paraparaumu College Careers said it was great to see students go out of their comfort zones.
“It was so awesome to see this connection being made between employers and students.
“There was such a buzz in the room as they got to know each other.
“I was blown away by the politeness and confidence of the students and the kindness and wisdom that was offered by our local employers.”
As well as the #EmployerMeet event, Work Ready Ka¯ piti also hosts the #WRKawards, and the Work Ready Passport.
These are all available through Ka¯ piti, Paraparaumu, and O¯ taki Colleges, and Whitireia New Zealand with the hope of getting other kura and colleges on board in 2019.