As well as getting good engagement from engineering companies across the region, the calibre of students who are entering apprenticeships are exceeding expectations.
‘‘We’re getting more high school graduates who are a lot more prepared for work,’’ SOREC founder Gareth Evans says. ‘‘There’s just a really high calibre of person coming through. Across the board it’s been good, and in particular we’re starting to see some real engagement with all of the girls high schools in Dunedin.’’
The Academy has been designed to address workforce issues in the engineering sector, by exposing young people to the trade and its various opportunities.
By working closely with high schools across Southland and Otago, they are able to foster student interest in the industry, and then place students in SOREC Academy companies.
Generally students will spend one day a week for six weeks with each company, visiting four different companies over the school year. Through this they will get a good feel for the different skills, machinery, outputs, and career opportunities available in trade engineering.
The schedule is flexible for both the student and the companies, and in some instances a student may be part of Gateway and do a 10-week block.
A pilot SOREC Academy programme in 2021 saw seven students from three schools have work placements, with one gaining an apprenticeship. The number have grown significantly since with 40 students taking part last year, and over 20 on work placements this term alone.
James Bracewell began as the SOREC Skills Partnership Manager in 2022. Since the partnership with Business South began in 2023, his role has come under their umbrella.
His role is to go into schools to promote engineering as a career, highlighting the opportunities in the sector to young people.
‘‘It’s a great way to get a feel for the industry and the opportunities available in it,’’ James says.
One of the biggest rewards for him has been seeing young people get into apprenticeships with local engineering companies. With more companies and schools becoming involved in the SOREC Academy, the future is looking bright for engineering in the south.
To Contact James Bracewell, call 027 348 8782, or email james.bracewell@sorec.org.nz