Honouring our future working talent
This week, I was lucky enough to be inspired by scores of young people from all over the country who came together in Auckland at the Future Business Leaders Awards. They were being recognised for achieving success in service sector apprenticeships.
Modern apprenticeships are working to fill the skills gaps in many of our industries, including retail, technology, health and wellbeing, aged care and hospitality. The message was that few young people realise that you can get high quality training and a fulfilling, high-profile career with an apprenticeship in something other than construction. It is also a reminder that contribution extends way beyond the white collar professions.
Not that we don’t need construction skills. it is estimated that a massive 64,000 extra construction workers will be needed by 2020, but it’s important to be reminded that 40,000 skilled workers will be demanded by manufacturing industries, a staggering 107,000 people in the retail supply chain and more than 54,000 in tourism.
The overall winner was the remarkable Christina Taefu, a former Miss Samoa NZ, who now works in the area of mental health after recovering from her own battle with depression and anxiety.
‘‘These are the business leaders of tomorrow,’’ Louise Upston MP said. She added that ’’baby boomers’’ were looking to hand over responsibility to a new generation, and businesses from butchers shops to care homes needed new leaders.
It was a fitting end to Got a Trade Week - the national campaign to raise awareness of careers that exist in 140 trades and services in New Zealand.