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"It is great to see the commitment of local businesses to trades training. Investment by industry and government in formal on-the-job training is achieving great results for South Auckland businesses at the same time as setting local workers up for higher-skilled careers with better earning potential," said Ross Robertson.

The MP visited the Manukau Institute of Technology in Manukau as part of the nationwide Industry Training at Work day, an initiative to promote trades training throughout the country.

"Last year saw more than 185,000 New Zealanders across the country earning while they're learning job skills. The latest quarterly statistics from the Tertiary Education Commission shows that South Auckland* has 394 Modern Apprentices and 4639 Industry Trainees."

The government's job training policy is producing a mix of skilled workers suited to the needs of regional business growth and productivity. In the Auckland region, the most popular careers for Industry Training are engineering, food and manufacturing (4862 Trainees), hospitality (3561), electrotechnology (2906), road transport (2147), community support services (2094), and building & construction (1882).

Ross Robertson says the government's investment in Industry Training will reach $180 million by 2010 - more than three times what it was in 2000.

"On Tuesday the government and key industry groups launched the New Zealand Skills Strategy, aiming to increase in skill levels nationwide to future-proof the transforming economy. Industry Training is one of the tools we're using."

The New Zealand Skills Strategy has been developed through a partnership between Business New Zealand, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the Industry Training Federation and government.

Ross Robertson is encouraging South Auckland communities and businesses to get involved in consultation on the New Zealand Skills Strategy. Consultation begins throughout the country on Monday 12 May. More information is at www.skillsstrategy.govt.nz.

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