Support for trade training

Wanted - Otago businesses looking to take on an apprentice.4Trades, the largest group employer of apprentices in the region, was established by the Malcam Charitable Trust in 2002.

It operates as an independent charitable trust, supported and managed by the Otago Chamber of Commerce.

At the moment, there were 40 apprentices on the programme, 4Trades manager Tony Denley said.

He described 4Trades as a service from ''entry to exit'', taking control of the day-to-day administration of the apprenticeship and any employment challenges.

It was also about trying to reduce compliance issues and costs involved in training young people that might deter an employer from taking on an apprentice.

Mr Denley was proud of the 90% completion rate, which he attributed to the pastoral care provided to the apprentices.

Apprentices were visited once every two to three weeks and mentoring and support was provided for them throughout their apprenticeship.

''We can identify any issues early on and ensure they get dealt with,'' Mr Denley said.

Providing comprehensive support for both the apprentice and the training host meant the business could be left to ''get on with their job''.

Among the businesses which supported the programme were Stevenson and Williams, Harrow Motor Body Works, Aburns Glass, James Wren and Co, the Dunedin Botanic Garden, and Property Services at the University of Otago.

They saw their involvement as a ''no-brainer'', he said.

There was a need to train local, keen, trade-minded young people and find them job opportunities within Otago, Mr Denley said.

''I believe, unless we start training our youngsters, we're not really making our industries sustainable and growing [them] for the future,'' he said.

He also believed on-site job training was the best way to learn a trade.

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