9 Jul 2012

Government to invest $1m in trades training

7:31 pm on 9 July 2012

The Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister says the Government will invest an extra $1 million dollars into Maori trades training in Christchurch.

Steven Joyce says the initiative builds on He Toki ki te Rika, a programme which the Institute of Technology in Christchurch is running in partnership with a collective of universities, polytechnics and Ngai Tahu Runanga.

He says trainees in He Toki two will be offered a scholarship to pay for their fees, and a grant for tools if they move into an apprenticeship.

Mr Joyce says Hawkins Construction is supporting the initiative and will provide employment opportunities for successful trainees.

He says having a relationship with a building firm means the training providers can focus on giving trainees the skills to take up an apprenticeship and get a job.

Mr Joyce says He Toki two is a great example of the kind of collaboration possible between industry, tertiary providers, iwi and government.

The extra million dollars brings the total amount invested in the Skills for Canterbury initiatives to 24 million dollars.