Mayor sees success of job scheme first-hand

Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher and members of the Mayor’s Taskforce For Jobs visited Brad Williamson Racing this week to meet one of the employers and their employees who had been connected by the programme.

Waitaki Sports Hall of Fame inductee Phil Williamson and his three sons Matthew, Nathan and Brad have driven more than 3000 winners in harness racing and train horses at their stables in Oamaru. The business has employed people from the taskforce.

During the visit, the mayor was given a run around the track on a sulky, led by Greta, one of the Williamsons’ winning horses.

The mayor showed he was no Ricky May in the making but was pleased to see the operation and how it was working with the taskforce.

"Brad and the Williamsons are just one of the wide range of different employers in Waitaki, and being able to work with them, and find the right person for the job, demonstrates that when local communities are given responsibility and funding, they can find better local solutions to local problems,’’ Mr Kircher said.

The programme, which supports young people into work and work placements, has exceeded its targets and achieved them in under 12 months. Between July 2021 and June 2022 the taskforce achieved 65 placements, when its target was 50. Out of those, 23 were apprenticeships.

From the middle of last year, the taskforce has placed 45 young people in apprenticeships or employment in seven months — seven more than its 12-month target.

There were 17 different industries involved including mechanics, electricians, builders and people working in hospitality, engineering, farm contracting, farming, butchery, panel-beating and masonry.

Mr Kircher said what marked the programme out was that it was run locally, not by central government. Funding had been provided by the Ministry of Social Development, but it was local knowledge that had been instrumental in planning and delivering the programme.

Jayda Loper, who is employed at the stables through the taskforce, said she was loving her job.

"It’s definitely a different kind of job and vibe, but I’ve learned a lot. I wouldn’t have imagined myself working here, and didn’t think I’d come back to horses, but I used to ride when I was younger. I love the people here, they’re supportive and nice, and I even get to have a drive which is great fun."

Mr Kircher is also visiting Network Waitaki and Riverstone Kitchen in connection with the taskforce.