Training initiative will provide springboard for youth centre

BACK ON TRACK: Joe Graham (front right), national manager of ATC TrainMe, congratulates one of the Te Awamutu course’s first students Angus Puckey on being accepted for Te Awamutu College Agricultural Academy, watched by, from left: Anthony Campbell (Te Awamutu Youth Services’ leader), Leeana Kukutai, Angela Fisk, Steve Shepherd. 080081AD

By Grant Johnston

Te Awamutu Youth Services has entered a partnership with national training organisation ATC New Zealand to provide ‘TrainMe pathways to employment’ courses for local 16 to 18-year-olds.

It is just one aspect of a changing face of youth development in Te Awamutu that the partnership will foster, says Joe Graham, national manager for ATC TrainMe.

“I always say to our tutors that they have six hours to impact the lives of the students, from 9am- 3pm. Often at our other branches the problems happen in the hours between 3pm and 9am.”

But by partnering with Te Awamutu Youth Services, there will also be links and positive influences on youths outside ‘office hours’. The venue used for the TrainMe courses during the day (the former LIC building in Rickit Road) is also serving as Te Awamutu Youth Services base and as a youth centre.

“It’s great that the kids have somewhere to belong - somewhere to hang out,” Mr Graham says.

The course comprises units towards gaining a National Certificate in Employment Skills, advice on career choices and employment pathways, CV creation and updating, and job interview skills. It is New Zealand Qualifications Authority approved. A requirement of ATC’s course provision contract with the Government is that 80% of course participants must go on to further tertiary training or a job. It’s a tough ask but one that Mr Graham and Te Awamutu Youth Services leader, Anthony Campbell are happy to take on.

“It’s our aim to make that kind of positive difference in our youths’ lives,” Mr Campbell says.

Mr Graham says they work with students “for as long as it takes” to reach positive outcomes.

“It all depends on the student, what they want to achieve and how motivated they are.”

The programme began last month and there are two students currently enrolled - with spaces for another 13. If you are interested phone 0800 TRAINME (0800 8724663).

ATC New Zealand has been providing education programmes for 13 to 15- year-olds for the past 10 years, with Mr Campbell a driving force. He is delighted the partnership with ATC will provide a springboard for other youth services’ provision in Te Awamutu.

“We have the skeleton for the operation we would like to see here.”

Although the decor is relatively spartan, the building offers good space - along with a reasonable outdoor hard surface area.

The Church@Te Awamutu has provided second hand audio and data presentation equipment and private donations have helped fund equipment like tables, a table tennis table, second hand sofas etc. Mr Campbell and other Youth Services leaders like Elizabeth Shoobert have big plans for the youth centre.

“We’d like to turn our large room into an auditorium and have a wall of computers for students to do homework, a kitchen and dining area - a youth café if you like - and a small recording studio,” Mr Campbell says.

The dreams are huge, but so is the passion for the project and the determination to see it succeed.

“For too many years we have watched our youth‘fall through the cracks’.”

Mr Campbell and Mr Graham believe that for the programmes to really succeed, they would be inspiring students’ siblings and families into positive changes too, including further education for some.

Mr Graham knows a bit about the ‘large oaks from small acorns’ story - ATC has seven branches around the country but it began in Hamilton in 1984 as “two shovels and an old grey van”. Mr Graham joined ATC in 2000.

“I was a school teacher, but I could see a lot of kids dropping out of the school system. I wanted to be part of building a safety net to catch these kids,” he says.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP Te Awamutu Youth Services, they need: volunteers to assist with a variety of jobs (like cooking on the barbecue) and ongoing funding (c/- The Church@Te Awamutu, 1310 Racecourse Road, Te Awamutu), or drop in and see them at 405 Rickit Road.