Job skills offered in free training course

Young people in Wairarapa will have the opportunity to gain employment skills with a free course being offered at YMCA Masterton in the new year.

Teacher Alex Hall said this is the first time the organisation has offered the year-long National Certificate in Employment Skills, which will fully fund it.

He said it was a great opportunity for 18 to 24-year-olds who may have been out of work or study for some time to gain some confidence.

"It's for people who have been out of work or study for a long period of time ... but may have left school with nothing at all."

Mr Hall said unemployment was an issue for Wairarapa along with the rest of the country, which prompted the course.

"At the end of the course, we'll work with them for another three months to find them full-time work or higher education,"

There is room for a maximum of 24 students, although the course will run with 12 enrolments. Six people have enrolled so far. Anybody interested in finding out more about the course can visit the YMCA Masterton for more information.