Hi,
On holiday in the cook islands. This beautiful island has been part of the new Zealand and Australian economic and social landscape for many years. Aid to these islands has also been ongoing for many years.
I find in my day to day role a very, very low percentage of trades people are of pacifica descent. Whilst on the island of the rarotonga I find that there is 3 plumbers for a population of 7000 - 8000 with a myriad of other wannabes causing localised mayhem. This is the same for the building industry. I am yet to find a trade training system that seems to suit and be accepted by the larger Australian and NZ economies. It seems that these localised island states are left to fend for themselves without a collective will or direction from a any over riding autonomous body.
I would love to see, and would be motivated to develop a trade training scheme that encouraged best practise across our economies. This would aid transfer ability of our young men and women. This in turn would lift the level of quality and customer expectation at the island state end.
I realise that Leighton construction is importing staff from the Philippines and without evidence but possibly our Auckland building sites may have Chinese short term builders/labourers on its sites. I am all for reducing poverty through the utilisation of the industry. But I am concerned again, that we are not approaching the problem in a way that is good for our pacifica communities. If that effects our community it effects us personally.
Come on Construction Industry Council (NZ) show your colours and represent your people not your corporate sponsors.
CG
