One of the major challenges students face is connecting with their target industry to explore job opportunities post-graduation. To help bridge this gap, Bryan Davis, Academic Programme Manager, School of Trades and Service, organised an industry connect event for the Automotive trades. It was a great success and Bryan says they plan to hold at least two a year from now on.
The evening was attended by a range of companies from the automotive trades, including the Motor Trade Association, the New Zealand Transport Authority, New Zealand Automotive Electrical, Bridgestone NZ, and Repco NZ.
The aim was to give students a chance to chat to representatives of the organisations so they could learn more what they did and the range of jobs available.
Speaking with industry representatives is important to understand opportunities
Bryan says the initiative has two focuses; firstly, broadening the view of the students about what the automated trade really is, and what sort of skills and job opportunities are available.
“Although there’s not meant to be any jobs on offer, potentially, if you present yourself well, you can network with that employer. I know that one student had a job offer from Repco after the event.”
Bryan spoke to each of the employers before the evening and briefed them about what the students needed to know so that they could make the most of the time spent with then, he says.
He plans to run the next event in October as the course has two intakes a year, so returning students could make more of the second event having already been to the first one.
“The Industry Connect event is also a real benefit for the industry and we have had positive feedback about it and commitments for the next one. They are important and help us to build strong ties with industry organisations, which is important to address the chronic skill shortages in the sector.”