LOCAL WORKFORCE: Apryll Parata, senior regional official for the Provincial Growth Fund Tairawhiti, was the guest speaker at the Eastern Institute of Technology’s graduation in Gisborne yesterday. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell
More skilled, trained and qualified Tairāwhiti people will be key in creating a stronger local economy.
That was a key message delivered to graduates, their families and friends at the Eastern Institute of Technology Tairāwhiti graduation yesterday.
Held at the War Memorial Theatre, it was the last of five EIT graduation ceremonies held, with three in Hawke’s Bay and one in Auckland.
EIT chief executive Chris Collins acknowledged the students’ achievements, and their families for the support they provided their loved ones with on their journey.
He also said while there had been a decline in enrolments at other learning institutions across the country, EIT was the exception.
“EIT is bigger, with more students last year than we ever have had before,” he said.
“More than 10,000 students chose to study at EIT.”
Guest speaker and senior regional official for the Provincial Growth Fund Tairāwhiti, Apryll Parata, acknowledged the “burgeoning growth” at EIT.
EIT was integral in getting more skilled, trained and qualified local people, to help grow the Tairāwhiti industry and economy, she said.
She encouraged the graduates to consider making a contribution to the region, in their areas of specialty.
“In the role that I have, it is about identifying opportunities to grow industry, the economy and employment for the region.
“We have huge growth occurring in the Tairāwhiti region in four areas; forestry, horticulture, civic construction and roading, and tourism and hospitality.”
The biggest barrier to growth in Tairāwhiti was the low number of skilled, trained and qualified local workers, forcing employers to bring in overseas workers.
With 1200 to 1440 potential jobs in the next year, in the four industry-growth areas, EIT was instrumental in providing skills to locals, she said.
“We need to get people work-ready in the East Coast.
“EIT has a growing roll, it is consistently out-performing other institutions, and has broadened the range of its offerings.
“EIT is key to achievement in this region. We are only going to be able to grow if we provide a relevant, skilled and trained workforce.”
Among the acknowledgements yesterday was recognition of Toihoukura – School of Māori Visual Arts founding lecturer and Professor/Ahorangi, Dr Derek Lardelli, who was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Waikato in Hamilton yesterday.
Also honoured was Dr Lardelli’s whanaunga (relation) from Whangara, the late Jordan Matete, who passed away in January. Her posthumous Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts degree was accepted at the graduation by her whanau.
(article by Shaan Te Kani, Gisborne Herald)