North Canterbury careers expo goes online
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
An innovative approach is ensuring North Canterbury youth have access to careers guidance, amid Covid-19 uncertainty.
The North Canterbury Youth Futures careers expo has gone online, Waimakariri District Council community team manager Tessa Sturley said at last week’s community and recreation meeting.
The careers expo was first held in 2019, but has since been disrupted by Covid-19, so the steering group made the decision earlier this year to go online.
The steering group comprised representatives from the council’s community team, Rangiora and Kaiapoi high schools, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development and ComCol North Canterbury.
The North Canterbury Youth Futures steering group was established in response to a growing concern young people were leaving school with no idea what career they wanted to pursue.
The expo was hosted by Rangiora High School in 2019 and 2021, and was open to all North Canterbury youth, or anyone considering a career change, will all schools in the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts invited to attend.
The development of an online presence has been led by Waimakariri District Council youth development facilitator Emily Belton and Joseph Houghton, from the Ministry of Education.
To help guide the development of online tools, the steering group conducted focus groups with pupils at schools in the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts.
Responses varied depending on the age of students and whether they were rural or urban.
Some envisaged that careers may take them overseas, while recognition of the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and concerns for the environment featured strongly.
Facebook and Instagram pages were being used to promote career pathways, educational opportunities, how to write a CV and how to present transferable skills.
‘‘It’s giving young people tips about how to present what looks like an empty CV, so employers will find it interesting,’’ Sturley said.
‘‘It’s about helping young people to form a plan for their future direction.
"Next year we will look at doing both an in-person event and having an online presence.’’
Sturley said the steering group had made a soft launch this month, putting up links to resources and opportunities.
Video content of interviews with local employers, young people and mentoring would be shared over the coming weeks.
For now, the Waimakariri district did not quality for the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs programme, which was proving successful in the Hurunui and Kaikoura districts.
But Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said the criteria was being reviewed to widen the scope of the programme beyond the 30,000 resident population limit.
‘‘We do provide some funding and support to councils to run the programme, so it would be really good to be able to provide those opportunities in our district.
"We do have low unemployment in our district, but there’s always people who fall through the gaps.’’
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Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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