Polytechnic responds to demand for Westport training
Tai Poutini Polytechnic is asking the Westport community to register interest in Westport‐based Carpentry and Civil Plant training programmes that could start this year if demand is strong.
With graduates in demand for jobs across the West Coast, and fees free training available under the Government’s Covid‐19 recovery scheme, there’s never been a better time to train in either trade.
If there’s enough demand locally, the Polytechnic will expand its current Greymouth‐based programmes to Westport from July this year. People and local agencies keen to see the programmes run in Westport are invited to meetings this week – on Wednesday 16 June 2021.Peter O’Sullivan Manager of Teaching and Learning Trades, Civil and Mining at Tai Poutini Polytechnic says there are plenty of job opportunities on the West Coast right now for graduates, however the Polytechnic needs to understand if there is demand in Westport for people to enrol in the programmes.
“There’s never been a better time to start in a trade and we know there are fantastic job prospects for our Carpentry and Digger School graduates. We need to hear from Westport people now if there’s interest in us running training in the town from July; if there’s sufficient demand we’re committed to making the training available for the Westport community.”
The Carpentry programme gets students prepared for an apprenticeship. They will get a feel for the real job through practical learning which gets them on the tools and experience in working on a building site. Students will work through theory learning and understand health and safety practices on‐site as well as becoming more confident and more employable in the building industries. The Civil Plant programme is perfect for people looking to change careers and people with no prior experience in the industry.
Known locally as the “Digger School” students will be equipped with safe practical experience on machinery, along with the necessary theory and industry contacts they’ll need to make it in the construction, forestry or mining industries. The Government is funding free training for this programme to support all learners looking to gain skills or re‐train in key industries where demand from employers is already strong or is expected to grow.
Civil Plant meeting
Date: Wednesday 16 June 2021
Time: 2pm
Location: Westport Trades Campus ‐ 2A Coates Street, Westport.
Carpentry meeting
Date: Wednesday 16 June 2021
Time: 4pm
Location: Westport Trades Campus ‐ 2A Coates Street, Westport.
These are informal meetings where we hope to gauge interest and answer any questions the local community might have.
For more information contact: Mequa Hourston, Leader ‐ Engagement
DDI: 03 7699 405 | Mobile: 027 237 5844 | Email: mequah@tpp.ac.nz
