29 October 2012
Auckland Airport is helping South Auckland secondary school students learn about the many different occupations based at the Airport.
With over 12,000 people employed within the Auckland Airport Business District there is a huge range of career options available and Auckland Airport is giving many South Auckland youth the opportunity to gain knowledge about these careers.
To raise awareness within the South Auckland area of the different occupations based at the Airport, Auckland Airport recently organised a Careers Day for students from Papatoetoe High School. During the morning, the students were taken on a tour of the terminals as well as a visit to the Airport Emergency Services (AES) department - where students were given the chance to dress up in the full firefighting kit - followed by a bus ride around the runway.
After lunch the students were treated to informative talks from some of Auckland Airport’s airline and agency partners such as Aviation Security, Air New Zealand, New Zealand Customs and New Zealand Police.
Jo Ruthie, Papatoetoe High School Career Pathway Counsellor said the day had a very real impact on the students. “The feedback from the kids was awesome and it was obvious that they really enjoyed the day. For the students, having the opportunity to meet and talk to people who work at the Airport is really beneficial as it gives them some real life experience of the working world.”
Katie Moore, Community Relations Manager for Auckland Airport, says the Careers Day was such a success that they now plan to hold them frequently throughout the school year.
“There is such a wide range of roles that are based at the Airport and what was clear today is that many of the students have a lack of knowledge of just what career opportunities are available to them on their doorstep.”
“It is important to hold days like these so that we can provide the students with an informative but fun way of learning about potential career choices at the Airport.”
To further help South Auckland secondary school students gain insight into career opportunities, the Airport is also involved in the Tertiary Education Commission’s Gateway Programme.
The Gateway programme allows senior students to gain work experience at businesses through-out New Zealand, helping them to make informed choices about where to pursue their career.
Auckland Airport has been offering work experience to students from Otahuhu College for over five years now, and this month saw students from the school heading to the Airport each Friday to spend the afternoon with Auckland Airport employees who help them learn about their role at the Airport.
Gateway Coordinator at Otahuhu College, Jacquie Brayshaw, says the opportunities offered to the students through the Airport’s Gateway Programme are invaluable. “The Airport’s contribution to the Gateway programme is a big deal for the students because so many of them are looking for careers in travel and tourism.”
“Being provided with the opportunity to spend time at the airport and have real-life work experiences means they can make better choices about their future career path.”