Employers to help youngsters make the best career choice

The Workchoice Trust is calling for the support of New Zealand businesses to participate in Workchoice Day next year. Companies involved provide young New Zealanders with the foundations to make informed decisions regarding their future careers.

Workchoice Day gives Year 12 school students the opportunity to spend a day at any two organisations in an industry that interests them.

This year 350 companies, 9,000 students and 120 schools took part in the day. And next year the Trust aims to increase the number of companies taking part to 450 to accommodate student demand from regional areas. Workchoice Day 2006 is on Tuesday, May 16.

The event is in its 12th year and has seen 100,000 students involved in learning about their future career options.

Kathy McCombe, Workchoice Trust national manager is hoping that even more businesses from sectors in need of staff will support the initiative.

"We need to get students focused at an early age on what jobs are available to them in New Zealand. There's a real shortage of both skilled and unskilled employees in areas such as health, engineering, hospitality, food technology, sciences and even roading and transport. We are all aware of the current labour shortages, and simply ignoring the problem won't make it go away," says McCombe.

"Be a smart employer and tap into New Zealand's future workforce in the early stages of their career-decision making process. Harnessing teenagers' interest when they are eager and planning their future makes excellent long-term business sense."

There are 55,000 school leavers on average each year, many of which are unsure of their career path. The Workchoice Trust along with hosting companies aims to give them options and choices for their future.

* The Trust was established in 1994 and receives no Government funding.