Apprenticeship scheme tackles skills shortage
The roading industry in New Zealand, along with many other industries, is experiencing a shortage of skilled personnel.
An apprenticeship programme in the Waikato District is playing its part to address this skills shortage following the graduation of its first intake last month.
A partnership between Downer, Waikato Tainui and the Ministry of Social Development has resulted in 10 previously unemployed members of the community gaining a qualification and employment.
The Downer Basics Civil Apprenticeship Programme aims to attract capable people into the industry and give them career pathways along with industry qualifications.
The programme is designed to give graduates a clearly defined career path and is supplemented with studies and linked to a national qualification.
The intention is for Waikato District Alliance to run the programme annually.
Congratulations to this first graduate intake.
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD?
More alcohol restrictions, more lighting, busking rule changes and a whole lot of lobbying - these are some ways Hamilton leaders want to sort out the CBD.
Crime and anti-social behaviour in the area has been in the spotlight after recent news of a man defecating in the street near a city pub and another who flipped tables out the back of a bar after being found scrounging cigarette butts and asked to leave.
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.5% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.