Our Achievements so far...

Did you know that?

• Otorohanga has had zero registered unemployment (under 25 years old) since November 2006
• All Age Group unemployment benefits have been reduced by 35% from December 2007–December 2008 and 93% overall since 2005
• Otorohanga has strong businesses with access to local skilled young people
• Otorohanga is a tidy, vibrant community with minimal graffiti, vandalism or crime
• Youth apprehensions across all Resolved Crime were reduced by 75% within two years from 2005. Currently less than 1:5 Resolved Crime Apprehensions are youth aged under 25 years (down from 1:2)
• There are minimal problems with frustrated, unemployed and under-appreciated young people.

District Demographics:

• Population – 9,500 Otorohanga District-wide
  (2,700 Otorohanga Community, 300 Kawhia Community)
• Area – Approximately 2,200 square kilometers
• Education – 1 secondary school, 11 primary schools
• Main communities – Otorohanga (rural service centre) and Kawhia (coastal community
• 28% Maori population
• Lower than national average income
• Numerous large employers including national and international companies (eg. Freightlines, McDonald’s Lime Ltd.) Giltrap Engineering, OTC Timber, Giltrap Farm Machinery, Supabins.
  

YOUTH PROGRAMMES - SUITE OF 11 KEY PROJECTS

The Journey So Far

About seven years ago a small group investigated why Otorohanga District school leavers were not taking up locally available trade jobs and apprenticeships.

A fundamental finding: Young people were leaving the Otorohanga District to take up pre-employment qualifications and study elsewhere.

The solution: The Otorohanga Trade Training Centre was established in partnership with the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec)

• Research was undertaken to identify the industries with the greatest uptake of apprentices.
• Specific courses were developed to train school leavers in skills that local employers needed. (Some courses are fee-free)
• Employment guarantees were negotiated with employers for some courses to provide jobs for graduates.

The Wintec Otorohanga Trade Training Centre (now in its fifth year) has successfully graduated 66 students in the foundation course (National Certificate in Automotive and Engineering Level 2) and maintained a 100% employment record.

Contact: Marlene Perry – Wintec
Phone: 07 878 6558 Mobile: 0274 811 779
Email: marlene.perry@wintec.ac.nz
Website: www.wintec.ac.nz

The Centre’s Trade Apprentice Coordinator

• Provides weekly night-school classes and regular contact with employers and apprentices
• Supports all district apprentices to complete contracts successfully and on time.

National apprentice completion rates are less than 20%.
The Otorohanga programme is achieving 90+% completion rates.

Contact: Ray Haley
Phone: 0800 873 001
Email: ray@comettraining.co.nz
Website: www.comettraining.co.nz

McDonald’s Lime Ltd. Scholarships assist Trade Centre students meet their course fees, accommodation and travel needs. Local employer, McDonald’s Lime Ltd, and the Otorohanga Rotary Club contribute to the scholarships.

Contact: Mayor Dale Williams
Phone: 07 873 4379
Email: anne@otodc.govt.nz

Many people and organisations have also helped establish the following:

'Point of Sale' Trade Brochures highlighting the career opportunities and the attraction of living locally.

Contact: Andrew Giltrap
Phone: 07 873 4004
Email: andrew@gfm.co.nz

Annual Careers Expos to introduce local industries to school students in an entertaining, hands-on and informative way.

Contact: Shane Carr
Phone: 07 873 7508 (work) Mobile: 0272 503 660
Email: carrsw@gmail.com

Annual Mayoral Graduation Ceremonies honour Trade Centre graduates and successful Otorohanga District apprentices and elevate the status of trade qualifications.

Contact: Anne Burdon
Phone: 07 873 4379
Email: anne@otodc.govt.nz

Young Achievers Awards to acknowledge and reward excellence in sport, culture, academia etc in young people aged 16–25 years.

Contact: Anne Burdon
Phone: 07 873 4379
Email: anne@otodc.govt.nz

Otorohanga College Gateway Programmes to train students in practical work skills off-site or in the workplace.

Contact: Wayne Orsler
Phone: 07 873 8029
Website: www.otocoll.school.nz

MPowa School Leavers Connection Programme was established in early 2008 to support school leavers in their transition to further education, training and employment.

• Receives details of local students as they leave secondary school
• Connects with school leavers to assist them in making future choices and ensure that they are supported during this transition period
• Maintains a database of all providers, agencies, trainers, educators and employer networks that offer opportunities in the Otorohanga district.

Contact: Carole Coventry
Phone: 07 873 8993 Mobile: 027 215 3331
Email: otompowa@xtra.co.nz

The Harvest Rock Youth Centre was established by Assembly of God’s Harvest Christian Fellowship and Harvest Trust. The centre provides school holiday, leadership and mentoring programmes, after school activities, and has a state of the art indoor rock climbing wall where young people learn climbing skills. Open Monday–Saturday for groups, schools and corporate hire (closed Sundays for church activities.)

Contact: Peter Coventry
Phone: 07 873 8893
Mobile: 027 493 0117
Email: Harvest.pc@xtra.co.nz

The Otorohanga Art Centre provides tuition and opportunities for all in music, performance, art, crafts and drama.

Contact: Barry Marx
Mobile: 021 626 090
Email: bmarx@otenz.co.nz
Website: http://www.oto-rotary.org/index.asp?pageID=2145835488

Effective Otorohanga District infrastructure and networks are fundamental to success:

Otorohanga District Council and staff, Otorohanga and Kawhia Community Boards, Otorohanga District Development Board, Project Kiwiana, Otorohanga Business Association, Otorohanga and Kawhia Service Clubs, Churches, Schools, Student Leaders Forum, Community Trusts, Community groups, Police, businesses, residents and ratepayers).

The results are obvious! Otorohanga people are proud, enthusiastic and determined to make an impact. Come and visit the Otorohanga District soon and experience the difference as you truly 'Make the Kiwi Connection'!

Sincere thanks to all our supporters and contributors:

Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, Work and Income, Ministry of Social Development, Wintec, Employment Catalyst Fund, Tindall Foundation, Harvest Rock Youth Centre, Otorohanga College, McDonald’s Lime Ltd., Otorohanga Rotary Club, Otorohanga Art Centre Trust, Otorohanga District Council, Otorohanga District Development Board, Otorohanga and District Community Charitable Trust and especially the people of the Otorohanga District.

^ back to top