Council investment in Industry Training School "excellent investment for the city's future" - 11/08/2010

The new Wanganui Trades Training initiative (INTRANZ), a collaboration between Wanganui District Council, Wanganui YMCA and the Wanganui Lean Group, has been described by Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon as an “excellent investment for the city’s future”.

The school started with its first intake of 15 students on August 2, with another course programmed for early 2011.

In May this year the Wanganui District Council resolved to support the establishment of a local Trade Training initiative through the allocation of funds for business development and through direct staff support from within the Economic Development Unit.

The council has committed a total of $50,000 in each of the financial years 2009/10 and 2010/11. To date approximately $36,000 has been spent on the project with a further $30,000 likely to be spent over the next two months.

The funds have been allocated primarily for tools and equipment including lathes, welding equipment and electric hand tools which will remain the property of the Trust.

In addition to council’s contribution, local industries have pledged over $65,000 to date, and targeted Government training funding has been allocated by the YMCA.

GDM has provided premises which have been upgraded for the purpose and for which INTRANZ will pay market rent.

Cr McKinnon sees the financial investment as “a really positive step forward in supporting both our young people and the future of our industries through ensuring we have people with the right skills, training and attitude”.

“The motivation for the initiative stems from a number of ongoing concerns raised from within local industry around the lack of dedicated and focused trade training opportunities in Wanganui, offering complete qualifications in engineering.”

INTRANZ is being developed with a totally industry focused training programme, with graduates being guaranteed employment on successfully completing the core qualification – the NZ Certificate in General Engineering (Level 2). In addition all aspects of student attitude to both work and life skills will be focused on ensuring graduates are work and quality orientated, making them assets for their future employers.

The Wanganui YMCA is responsible for the delivery of the training and for student support. The industry partners are responsible for maintaining an industry focus, supporting both the school and the students, and for the ongoing placement of graduates.

ENDS