15 Feb 2017

Hundreds of scholarships aim to boost Auckland trades

2:05 pm on 15 February 2017

More than 900 government-funded scholarships are being offered to help meet the demand in Auckland's booming trades industry.

14072016 Photo: Rebekah Parsons-King. Hobsonville is booming. Around 20% of the homes being built here will be affordable homes.

The government is offering hundreds of trade scholarships to help meet demand in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The Building Industry Federation yesterday said new trainees and foreign workers were needed to address the shortage of tradespeople.

Auckland training organisation Māori and Pasifika Trades Training is offering 915 eligible people no-fees training and support to find jobs and apprenticeships.

The support included help in getting a driver's licence and $1000 grants for tools.

More than 1500 people have used the scholarships since they were offered in 2014.

Auckland trades jobs listed on Trade Me were up 25 percent in the three months to December, compared to the period in 2015.

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