Tradies celebrated at recognition dinner
The demand for trades workers will continue to grow in Southland in the future.
Southern Directionz general manger Dave McKissock said business in trades was rising in Southland and more trades workers were needed to fill positions in various future projects.
‘‘The future of trades in Southland is very exciting. We can’t do it without the trades.’’
Last night, 79 graduates took centre stage at the annual TradeQual recognition dinner at the Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill.
The graduates were apprentices in a variety of industries including automotive, electrical and mechanical engineering, boat building and aluminium joinery.
The graduates were the future of their industries, and the night was a celebration of their achievement, McKissock said.
‘‘It’s about congratulating our trades apprentices who have worked extremely hard over the last three or four years.’’
Southland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sheree Carey said ‘‘skilled trades people are crucial to the future growth of our region and we’re proud to be part of it’’.
Southern Directionz and the Southland Chamber of Commerce have worked together for 13 years to appreciate the region’s apprentices. ‘‘There’s about 600,000 hours of study in this room, when you think each apprenticeship is 6000 hours,’’ McKissock said.
The apprentices were not the only ones who had worked hard toward their achievement, McKissock said the people around them needed celebrated too.
‘‘It’s also about congratulating those around them. Industry training organisations, families and their employers. Without them, those graduates would not be where they are.’’