2009 FITEC Regional Graduation Dunedin

Tuesday May 19, 2009

Otago/Southland wood industries congratulate their 2008-2009 FITEC graduates

More than 170 guests will be coming together to celebrate the achievements of 65 Otago/Southland modern apprentices and trainees in the local wood industries on Friday evening (22 May).

Organised by FITEC, the event recognises the hard work, commitment and dedication to learning each individual has shown. All graduates have completed their study towards national certificates while working full time.

FITEC Chief Executive, Ian Boyd says, “Our graduates are all ages and from many different backgrounds. What they have in common is a motivation to learn and become qualified in their profession.

“The value of training for graduates, their employers and their communities is immense. By choosing to improve their vocational knowledge, they become role models for others in the industry, they increase their own skills and confidence and they add significant value and improved productivity to the industry as a whole.”

Mr Boyd says that even in tough times, learning is important. “Continuing to upskill staff in times of recession is a good use of downtime,” he says, “and recognition of that learning achievement is important. As we share in their celebration, we wish our graduates well in their careers and any future training they undertake.”

The function is sponsored by ACC. ACC Programme Manager for Forestry, Don Ramsay says, “ACC is proud to join with FITEC in celebrating training achievements in the wood industries.

“Both specific and generic skills training help to enhance career opportunities and make employees feel more valued.

“An investment in training also improves safety as individuals work together as teams and develop good leadership, good problem solving and good communication skills.”

Mr Ramsay says that a safety culture programme currently being tested with forestry contractors in Rotorua and Nelson is confirming that a commitment to training is always beneficial to both employers and employees.

“Skilled teams are better at looking after each other and tend to stay in their jobs longer,” he says. “They also become good at thinking for themselves and providing valuable feedback when there are problems to solve.

“ACC is proud to support training a safer wood industry.”

The celebration is being held at Carisbrook Stadium (Murrayfield St, Dunedin) with colleagues and employers - from Alistair McKenzie Contracting, Stewart Logging Ltd, Mike Hurring Logging, McHoull Contracting and others - supporting their graduates.

The Otago/Southland ceremony is the eighth of nine regional graduations being held throughout New Zealand in May. In total, over 1500 modern apprentices and trainees have completed around 2000 national certificates in 2008.