Real opportunities for Ara Trades ākonga emerge at Employer Expo

Ara Institute of Canterbury’s Employers Day has once again come up trumps for Trades ākonga.

As well as providing a chance to hone their personal pitch and connect with industry, the event held on the Woolston campus will see more students land time on the tools.

Organised by Tony Greenwood, Ara’s Coordinator - Employment and Apprenticeships, Wednesday’s expo saw more than 30 employers and agencies vie for the attention of 300 learners from across Trades.

“It’s a great opportunity for industry to meet our construction, mechanical engineering and welding, automotive engineering, plumbing, drainlaying, gas fitting and electrical students all at once,” Greenwood said.

“Once again, the event has been well supported by local and national employers and organisations offering work opportunities, experience and new pathways into a range of careers.”

The event also welcomed learners from the city campus studying quantity surveying, construction management and project management.
Employers at the expo didn’t just offer opportunities - they came away impressed by Ara students' enthusiasm and skills.

Plumbing firm Clyne and Bennie has decided to up its work experience offerings for Ara Trades students. That comes just as the company signed on a new Ara apprentice just this week.

"Our new recruit did work experience with us while studying and we're excited to take him on to do a plumbing and drainlaying apprenticeship,” HR manager Nikki Daly said.

“We have a great relationship with Ara and usually offer a couple of students work experience in each intake, but we’ve decided now to draw up a bit of a roster and cycle more of them through.”

Davey Boyes from Inception Electrical said the expo was a formula that worked.

“We’ve had good success from this event, taking on apprentices full-time who have become fully qualified with us.”

Boyes said it was a chance to meet learners first-hand and, if nothing else, offer some advice on how to be set for success in the job market.

“It’s always quite nerve-wracking presenting yourself, but we've been impressed today with the can-do attitude and how positive and inquisitive Ara students are. A good attitude counts for a lot."

Whitney Bennett from Ahikā Recruitment said assisting students into employment or helping them find casual opportunities to fund their study was hugely satisfying.

She said the nationwide agency had met Ara staff and done site tours in the past and commented on the positive energy of the expo.

“The students seem motivated and happy in their study programmes. It’s cool to see energy levels so high compared to some of the expos we do. Many are confident to speak about themselves and what they’re doing and what their goals are.”

Greenwood said it was good to get feedback about the range of skills the students presented.

“It’s been a positive and well-supported event. Students have left with new opportunities and ideas, and, thanks to Mitre 10, who brought along 2 BBQs and cooked 350 sausages, a hot lunch on a cold day too.”