17 Mar 2013

Building industry appeals for apprentices

7:31 am on 17 March 2013

The building industry is trying to entice more people into apprenticeships as numbers signing up hit a new post-recession low.

The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation held careers events throughout the country on Saturday.

Chief executive Ruma Karaitiana said numbers of apprentices have dropped from about 10,000 before 2008 to just under 5000 now.

Mr Karaitiana says there was a good response from the public to the careers events, in particular in Auckland and Christchurch.

He said rebuilding in Christchurch and demand in Auckland for more residential housing mean there are plenty of opportunities for those interested in apprenticeships in a range of fields.