Tararua District Mayor, Tracey Collis and Tararua District Council Mayors Tasks Force for Jobs coordinator, Jaron Vince , visited Morris & Bailey builders in Dannevirke to catch up with two Mayors Task Force for Jobs (MTFJ) participants and present them with a Sustained Employment Certificate that reflects their commitment to both the MTFJ programme and their employer.

Cayden Edwards, 24, started on the MTFJ program in March after gaining an MTFJ and Morris & Bailey supported Concrete Construction Apprenticeship.  Since being on the programme Cayden has been supported through his Restricted Driving Licence, Health & Safety coursing and had his Civil Construction Tools purchased – a significant matter that is often out of reach to young people starting out in this trade.  Cayden revealed that he likes concrete related projects and was proud of a recent job worked on at a local bridge.  Mayor Tracey also spoke with Matthew Olsen, 17, who started on the program in October 2023 after being supported into a carpentry apprenticeship.  In this time Matthew has had driving licence support, Health & Safety coursing and had tools of his trade purchased for him.

Both young men are Dannevirke locals, their manager, Daniel Pinfold said “both lads work hard and have fitted into the team very well.  The programme is very important, it allows young men and women, entering the workforce for the first time or wanting to gain a trade, to progress with enduring support from not only educators, our company and the councils MTFJ officer but also from local agencies as well.  Most youngsters starting out find it hard to purchase the tools of their trade and with MTFJ support in this important aspect this has proved to be a major benefit to not only Cayden and Matthew but also a significant boost to Morris & Bailey because we know they have the tools they need to not only work but also to help them through their testing and assessments”.

During the check in with Morris & Bailey Mayor Tracey presented Cayden and Matthew with a Certificate of Sustained Employment, recognising their commitment to the programme and Morris & Bailey.  Mayor Tracey said that that “I’m really pleased you’ve found your passion and a great local company to work for that has a reputation second to none”.

Mayor Tracey also presented Manager Daniel Pinfold with an MTFJ certificate for Morris & Bailey's continued support to Cayden and Matthew and the noticeable changes and confidence she had seen in them.

More information on the Mayors Task Force for jobs can be found on the TDC Council website at: www.tararuadc.govt.nz/services/business-support/business-support/mayors-taskforce-for-jobs