Work based training described

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 385, 7 May 1991, Page 6

Work based training described

As co-ordinator of the Raetihi and Ohakune work based training programme it is Honey Winter's job to go out and talk to potential employers to see if they are be prepared to take on a trainee in a work situation.

When an employer wishes to take on a trainee Mrs Winter checks the skills of the trainee to see of they fit the job offered. A work ready trainee is then sent for an interview to see if they would suit that position. A trainee is then usually taken on for an eight week period. While at the end of the eight weeks the employer is under no obligation to offer employment, the scheme often leads to permanent employment. During this time the trainee receives a training benefit which is equivalent to the unemployment benefit. A travel allowance is paid by Education Training Support Agency which is under the vimbrella of Access. A youth of 16 or 17 can receive a training benefit but not the unemployment. Women with partners get a minimal allowance. The training scheme allows women to get the skills to get back into the work force. So far all the placements have been in Ohakune, jobs that are suitable are secretarial, administration, shop assistant, waitress and

hotel or motel work. "It is a bit sad that there haven't been any placements in Raetihi," said Mrs Winter. "The scheme is good as all Access courses need to go somewhere. People could go on a training course and then onto work base," said Mrs Winter. "The benefits to the trainnees are enormous. as their self esteem improves they have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. They are like changed people with heaps of confidence." "Unemployment is high in the area and we desperately need to get locals back into work. I owe a lot of thanks to Jan Lawton of the New Zealand Employment Service, and The response from the employers has been excellent and the programme is working well." So far twelve trainees have been placed with some finishing their eight weeks and others ready to go into the work scheme. Part time work is suitable for the work base programme. Gwen Doble of Ragtime had Debbie Gray as a trainee for eight weeks, which worked

very well for them both. "It is very much a two way thing," said Mrs Doble. "I needed someone who could manage on their own. Debbie did everything, serving,

window dressing and stock work. It gave her the chance to get experience and confidence. Out of it Debbie has got a part time job."

"The work base scheme may help to change people's opinions about the unemployed," said Mrs Winter.