Aussie firm leaves Kiwis stranded without licences

Hundreds of New Zealanders who travelled across the Tasman to work as security guards at the Olympics have been left stranded by a company which failed to issue them with licences.

About 200 New Zealanders are believed to be affected by the problem with a training company called Colnet, which was contracted by the Australian security firm Workforce International to recruit workers for the Games.

The Herald understands many of those who took part in the course have yet to receive their licences, which they must have before working as a security guard.

Some of those affected took part in Colnet's training scheme in New Zealand because it was subsidised by Work and Income New Zealand.

Winz yesterday released a statement advising its clients not to fly to Australia as there was no guarantee of work.

The welfare agency had little information about the problem with the issuing of licences and said last night that it was still investigating.

The phones at Colnet, which has an office based in Sydney, rang unanswered yesterday.

A spokesman for Workforce International was also unable to speak to the Herald because he was "in a meeting."

The mother of one woman in Sydney told 3 News her daughter rang and said it was a scam and the New Zealanders had no jobs.

Several more New Zealanders had been due to fly to Sydney next week.

Workforce International is one of three private security firms given initial contracts by Socog.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported this week that Socog had been forced to award contracts to two more security firms to meet the demand for official Olympic work.

As late as last week, Workforce International was advertising for security officers for Olympic venues.

The Sydney Morning Herald said the two other firms awarded Socog contracts initially, Sabaci and MAS Venue Services, had had to recruit 950 new guards between them.

It said police and security officials were concerned that most of the 4500 recruited so far had no experience.

The private security guards, who will not have police powers, will guard buildings, check accreditation and staff venue entrances.

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