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TV2 programme Just the Job FITEC segment features
Taupo secondary school student Isaia Alofa following a log through it’s
processing journey with mentor Mark Taylor, General Manager of Tenon in
Taupo.
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Clean, green, safe and sustainable. David Trought,
National Careers Manager at FITEC is informing the next generation about the
real wood industries. “The wood industry has changed. It is so technical now
that a log can be processed beginning to end without a single human hand
touching it. And safety is absolutely paramount in all roles the industry
supports.”
Keen to show young career seekers just what the industry
can offer them, David has been working on a segment for the TV2 programme
Just the Job.
FITEC’s segment features Taupo secondary school student
Isaia Alofa following a log through it’s processing journey with mentor Mark
Taylor, General Manager of Tenon in Taupo.
Tenon’s operations process pruned butt logs into high
value products, such as solid lineal mouldings, boards and outdoor products -
predominately for the American DIY market.
Mark says he was really keen to get involved with Just
the Job. “After 23 years in an industry, which has offered me a lot of
opportunities, it was a chance for me to give something back.
“If the programme is a catalyst for young job seekers to
take a serious look at the industry and what it can offer them, then I’ll
feel I’ve made a real contribution.”
David says that 17-year-old Isaiah doesn’t know what he
wants to do when he leaves school, but he is interested in learning a trade.
Just the Job followed him and Mark through the plant as the log moved through
each process. He spoke with the employees involved in each stage, asked them
questions and got a good overview of the industry. He liked the Head Rig
Operator job the most.
The final seven-minute segment took two days to film and
was quite a commitment for everyone involved.
“But worth it,” says David. “For our effort we’ll get a
viewing audience of about 80,000 and then we get another chance to reach
potential employees when Career Services send the DVD out every secondary school
in New Zealand.”
Isaiah’s episode is expected to air in October 2008 –
just at the right time to raise awareness before schools close for the year!
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