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More people are learning skills and trades in Wairarapa than ever before.
Latest figures* show 2561 people were involved in industry training during 2004 in Wairarapa, 282 more than in 2003.
Wairarapa MP Georgina Beyer says the region's young people are enjoying their best-ever chance to get into a trade or develop some skills that will set them up for good jobs.
"That's equally important to Wairarapa employers who've battled skills shortages since National decided to scrap the traditional apprenticeship system in the 1990s. And when the Labour-led Government introduced the Modern Apprenticeships programme in 2000, National promised to abolish it."
Ms Beyer says everyone benefits from the dramatic lift in industry training, funding for which has doubled since the Government took office in 1999.
Across the country, nearly 140,000 trainees participated in various industries in 2004 - a 10 percent increase over the last year.
"We're enjoying an economic boom. Sometimes you can't get a tradesperson or a skilled worker for love nor money. Every young person in training eases that peak of demand."
With strong economic growth and low unemployment, Ms Beyer says the Government and industry need to work together to overcome skill shortages and increase productivity. The growth across the region of industry training and Modern Apprenticeships showed this was happening.
"I want to ensure that our region continues to share in this growth. I welcome inquiries from employers, parents and young people who want to plug into industry training and Modern Apprenticeships," said Ms Beyer.
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