Waitaki school principals, teachers and business owners came together over breakfast on Tuesday (August 15), to explore how to provide pathways into employment for the district’s young people.

Close to 80 people attended the Waitaki Pathways Leadership Breakfast, held at the Brydone Hotel, which provided an opportunity for schools to connect with industries in a sort of “mixer”, with the hope it would kickstart relationships between the groups.

Five minute presentations were given on a range of topics, including employment needs of the Dunedin Hospital build, the Growing Future Farmers programme and film-making and screenwriting in the Otago-Southland region.

Other speakers included Ministry of Education principal advisor Kerry Ryan, Stephen Geddes of the Tertiary Education Commission, and Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher.

The mayor presented detail on the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs, which works towards ensuring young people have work placement opportunities in the district.

“It’s good for everyone working in the space of rangatahi, our young people, to be aware of what’s available. 

“It’s good for schools to know what programmes and support mechanisms are there for them and their young people. It’s a great opportunity to connect.”

Attendees also heard from former Waitaki Girls’ and Waitaki Boys’ High School students Jessica Smaill, Blain Hamilton and Inoke Naufahu on their transition from full-time education to full-time employment in the district.

Ardgowan School principal Ryan Fraser said, as a principal, he tried to engage children with their community. 

“To be able to sit down with community leaders and talk to them gives us an opportunity to connect with them, and get our kids connected to the community,” he said.

Local business owners were also pleased at the range of support available to them, and provided to young people, to support them into the workforce.

Riverstone Kitchen owner Bevan Smith said it was useful to find out how much support there is behind the scenes from local government and the different agencies.

“As an employer we are crying out for motivated individuals to join our business, and we can do the rest. 

“Knowing those pathways, where we can reach out and make those connections is really important,” he said.

Blain Hamilton talks to some of those present at the Waitaki Pathways Leadership Breakfast. PHOTO: Supplied