Michael Johnston: NZ Initiative author on the report into the lack of apprenticeships, need for better pathways

There’s a belief better pathways to industry and trades training are needed. 

A report from the New Zealand Initiative has found just 6% of 16-to-19 year-olds participate in workplace learning, while 11% are unemployed. 

It states schools are geared toward university education, even though only about a third enrol in degrees. 

Report author Michael Johnston says apprenticeship options need to be more visible to young people. 

He told Mike Hosking part of the problem is apprenticeship training is viewed as being for the kids who don’t cope with the academic path. 

Johnston says we need to rearrange the system so that young people, regardless of their background and propensities, look at apprenticeship training as a viable option. 

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