Local businesses to inspire Kuranui students

Piers Fuller Reporter from News of Wairarapa

Kuranui College is hosting their first careers day for students, staff, whānau and members of the local community.
The event is a collaboration between the college, Youth in Education, Training and Employment (YETE), Business Wairarapa and the Wairarapa Economic Development (WEDS) team, and focuses on students initiating inspiring conversations with real people in real jobs.
Entitled Inspire Me!, the programme is being driven by the students who have played a key role in planning the event. “We want to ensure that our students can open their eyes to the world of work, see what’s on offer, and be prepared for a modern economy,” explained Kuranui Principal Simon Fuller. “The students have taken the initiative with our student leaders surveying the school to find out what they wanted out of the event.”
As a result, the programme is open to the whole school from years 9 to 13, as well as staff who will be using the day as professional development, so they can have modern conversations with students about the future of work.
Over 20 businesses and employers will be in attendance representing a cross-section of industries and with a strong representation from Māori business owners and primary industries, many who are bringing along their own teams and specialist equipment.
Representation also ranges from the region’s highly successfully construction businesses to emerging astro-tourism, and from an award winning creative portrait artist to a Mandarin-speaking kiwi who is creating apps for millions of Chinese users.
“The programme format has been designed to provide excellent opportunities for sharing knowledge and experiences, so those involved can have great conversations about their futures. This will mean the whole school will be able to have conversations with at least three industries or businesses in our region in one day,” Fuller said.
The day also incorporates two keynote speakers, former Kuranui pupil, international businessman and philanthropist, Shane McManaway and specialist website designer and E-commerce consultant, Nikki King.
“Kuranui recognises that it’s just as important to include families and whānau in conversations with our students about the future of work and so we have opened up the event to the wider school community and encourage people to join in,” added Fuller.
Inspire Me! takes place on Tuesday 17 September. Anyone interested in coming along should contact Kuranui Gateway Coordinator, Sharon Dignan, at dignans@kuranui-college.school.nz.