Horowhenua Chronicle 07-11-14

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Chance to gain skills By

PETER FRANKLIN peter.franklin@chronicle.co.nz

One of the biggest hurdles facing Horowhenua employers is the lack of skilled labour. This issue was highlighted by the Horowhenua Economic Development Board during their recent strategy planning sessions. Addressing the problem is one of the key elements to the district’s growth strategy, identifying training opportunities and making them work for both unemployed young people and the community at large. Ten young people from Horowhenua are hoping to gain valuable work experience after being selected for a Youth Skills Initiative developed by Work and Income New Zealand and Focus Labour Solutions. The group, who headed off to Blenheim this week, will spend four months learning about the viticulture industry that could to lead to a permanent job in Horowhenua. The scheme has the backing of Horowhenua Mayor Brendan Duffy and Marlborough Mayor Alastair Sowman, both passionate about initiatives that aim to see their young people succeed. “It will be great to see

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these young people return to Horowhenua and bring their skills back to work in our local seasonal areas,” Mr Duffy said. Work and Income’s Central Regional Commissioner Penny Rounthwaite said sustainable employment in the viticulture industry could be very challenging for young people. “Lack of transport, accommodation and budgeting issues are big challenges and it takes time and training to develop skills

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required to earn at higher levels of income. This initiative is great because it provides a total support package, life skills and work skills,” she said. Craig Mill, of Focus Labour Solutions, is excited about the chance to support young people from his home region of Horowhenua. The company is a significant employer in the Marlborough viticulture sector. “We can see a win-win outcome from making an investment in the

development of young people,” he said. The youth initiative is one of a number of ways Work and Income is supporting the development of the local skill base. Other initiatives currently underway to help upskill local people include a civil construction training programme, focused on roading, and a Training For Work programme with the Horowhenua Learning Centre, to develop general construction, welding and rigging skills.

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