Course lifts young job seekers

Jarome Hammon, Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall, LJ Moka-Piripi, former WHS student Jahzia Puohotaua, Ministry of Social Development regional labour market manager Lu Scanlon and Angel Skelton.
PHOTO / Stuart Munro

It's a better time than ever to be entering the workforce, Whanganui's recent graduates of Limited Service Volunteer training have been told.

Five have taken part in the programme recently and graduates were welcomed to the Whanganui District Council chamber on Tuesday.

LSV is a six-week course held at Burnham Military Camp for young people registered with Work and Income.

The course aims to increase the number of young people getting jobs or training by giving them the skills and attitude needed to succeed.

Mayor Hamish McDouall said in industries such as construction there was huge demand for labour on the way.

"There are so many jobs out there in the next couple of years. It's your world," he said.

McDouall said he was on the unemployment benefit for three months when he returned from overseas 16 years ago "so I know how dispiriting it is".

Part time worked turned into fulltime work and he got on a roll.

"Sixteen years later I'm wearing a ridiculous robe like this, so who knows?"

Graduate Angel Skelton said it was challenging but she adjusted well.

"It made me grow in ways I didn't know I could," she said.

"Hopefully I get to study film and pursue my dreams and desires working in media and entertainment."

Jahzia Puohotaua had dreams of his name up in lights as a world great boxer but would join "the Navy for now".

He said the LSV course was "pretty hard out" with activities like push-ups 30 seconds after waking up at 5.30am.

"It was flat out all the time and we never had a chance to have a break.

"It was hard out but it was the ability to stick with it that I learned. I'm used to just not liking stuff and boosting - that's my forte."

Graduate Brie Karena-Koro missed the ceremony because she had already started work.

Work and Income says 70 per cent of trainees move from the jobseeker benefit into either full-time work or trade training courses within two months of completing the course.

By Zaryd Wilson
Whanganui Chronicle 3/10/18