$1.2m extra to expand Fruit in Schools
The Fruit in Schools programme will be expanded to include an extra 77 schools, benefiting an additional 13,000 students.
Thirty two high schools students from Kaipara, Whangarei, Far North and Rodney districts will get a hands-on go at the controls of diggers, trucks and construction gear, and will glimpse the job opportunities in these industries.
This will be held on the Kaipara Vintage Machinery Club’s field days site on the Saturday of the event.
Alistair McIntyre, author of the children’s book Doug the Digger and founder of Youth into Industry, says he wanted to give Northland school leavers a look into career options.
“Students are given an opportunity to work alongside industry people in a safe worksite environment.”
He floated the idea with Kaipara Vintage Machinery Club members at the 2014 field days; the members were keen.
McIntrye and the club patron Bruce Galloway talked to the field days committee about hosting a careers open day at this year’s event.
A similar event ran last year at the Auckland Museum of Transport and Technology. “Thirty one eager students turned up who were so keen they ignored several rain showers to carry on with activities.”
Field days’ president Lew Duggan says the committee jumped at the idea, seeing it as a good way to get Northland youth into fast-growing industries.
“We already offer Northland youngsters scholarships to study farming, so the Youth Into Industry initiative was a perfect fit.”
Kaipara Vintage Machinery Club members will help as tutors and in support roes.
Students will operate mini-excavators and small plant and equipment, and learn about health and safety, workplace safety, weights and measures, and vehicle safety.
Industry personnel will talk about their expertise and help students do paperwork.
