Visiting the Hamilton based WINTEC polytechnic facility, Automotive Employment Director, Russ Phillips presented to the automotive pre trade students today.
Automotive Employment was impressed with the standard of students studying at Wintec. “It was encouraging to see the calibre of skills attracted our industry, said Russ” “The engagement was excellent, these students did not just sit there listening, most of the students knew exactly where they wanted to go in their careers”
Students were targeting careers in the light automotive sector, heavy equipment and transport, farm machinery, auto electrical and collision repairs. There were those seeking non-franchise and franchise employment and strong interest in where their careers could take them, others also with long term plans to open their own businesses. What was evident is there was no shortage of ambition. These students should all be graduating in around 6 months.
For employers seeking apprentices in the Waikato region, the advice from Automotive Employment is to make the approach to WINTEC now. While there are still months to run on their pre trade course the calibre of student is high so secure your next apprentice while you can!
It was great to see not just several motivated young men but also numerous motivated women among the pre trade students. Russ commented, “there was near 60 students present from the 2 classes and from what I saw, every single student had potential, realistically it would be hard to assemble a better bunch of keen pre trade students”
Presenting to students was definitely a different experience when compared to other presentations completed. The questions and answers flowed fast from the students who engaged well. There were intelligent answers to questions presented and when it came to discussing long term careers there was much interest.
With most sectors of the industry predicted to see a pattern of more regular growth emerging in 2025, Automotive Employment suggest it is not far away now until the job boards return to 2023, if not 2022 levels. It makes sense for companies to be planning apprenticeship intakes now as it is self-evident the emerging market will once again create skills shortages similar to what we saw after the GFC in 2009 and after the pandemic in 2022.
Automotive Employment NZ will continue to support industry whether training becomes industry led or otherwise.
Supporting our new generation of technicians is a value added service and enjoyable.
Automotive Employment NZ place apprentices free of charge to support industry.
In 2024 we have been increasingly engaging with industry wherever we can. Events supporting the Women in Automotive initiative, promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the provision of free immigration updates via webinars for our employer clients, a presentation to the IMVIA members are just some of 2024’s projects.
The Laptops for Fijian school students on Fiji’s outer islands is another project underway and planning for a range of charity events and yet more support for industry training is planned for 2025.
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