Alternative job seekers drive spike in apprenticeship training

Mon, 31 Aug 2020

Tertiary training institutions say they are being inundated with New Zealanders who want to redeploy into alternative careers across construction and other vocational trades. The surge comes as the number of Kiwis on the jobseeker benefit or covid-related support payments jumped by 2,700 during the first week of the higher alert levels in Auckland and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warning of a “long tail” in the ongoing community cluster, increasing the risk of a further slowdown in hiring. There have already been hits to smaller operator...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

On the Money

On The Money: Therese Walsh, My Food Bag, $6b, and more

Therese Walsh for governor general? Plus, 'man ban' questions ...

Dileepa Fonseka 16 Aug 2025

Technology

No more offshore: startups look to spend and hire in US

Faster deductions make adding staff cheaper when cash flow is critical, executives say.

The Wall Street Journal 16 Aug 2025

No more offshore: startups look to spend and hire in US

World Opinion

France wants to give US scientists refuge

The situation shows what the US stands to lose when it turns its back on science.

The Washington Post 16 Aug 2025

France wants to give US scientists refuge

Sponsored

How three bold campaigns turned creative risk into ROI

“Brand and performance aren’t opposites – they’re teammates. When they work together, you get compound growth.”

YoungShand

Sponsored

Research: AI-powered threats are driving security tool consolidation

Survey suggests cybercrime innovation is outpacing NZ defences.

Fortinet

More Services

Markets Analysis

Assessing Spark's datacentre deal with PEP

Could Spark be paying special dividends before the end of the decade?

Pattrick Smellie 13 Aug 2025

Services

Food Chain report shows $9m owing

More than $9.1m is owing in the liquidation of food supplier Food Chain, the first report in the insolvency shows. The company, which has ceased trading, had approximately 60 staff, and is also in receivership. The first liquidators' report of Adam Botterill and Damien Grant...

Staff reporters 11 Jul 2025