Rei Meha (left), tutor for the Hastings programme, with EIT trades training head Todd Rogers.

Hastings is to join Napier and Central Hawke’s Bay in offering an introductory building programme aimed at providing skills that will assist those taking part into jobs or further training.

A joint undertaking by the Eastern Institute of Technology, Work and Income, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga and the Hastings District Council, the 38-week Introduction to Trades Skills (Carpentry) is attracting considerable interest from those wanting to be included in the first intake.

“The initiative has been very enthusiastically received,” says EIT trades training head Todd Rogers.  “There’s been huge demand for places, outstripping all our expectations, although we would like to accommodate everybody.”

An Open Day where potential students and whanau can learn about the scheme will be held at EIT’s Hastings Learning Centre on the corner of Railway and Lyndon roads on Monday, 27 February.

The Hastings District Council in partnership with EIT will provide the venue for the programme at the Atomic Sports Centre in St Aubyn Street, Hastings . 

Each week, students – most of them WINZ clients – will be transported to various sites for practical hands-on experience working on community-based projects.

Hastings man Rei Meha will be the programme tutor.

Todd says the programme has already proved to be very successful in Napier and Waipukurau.

“In all honesty, it’s changed lives for some of those who have taken part.”