South Waikato Trades Training Centre Closure Proposal Sparks Outcry from Mayor

The proposed closure of the South Waikato Trades Training Centre has sparked strong criticism from local leaders, who argue that the move would deepen economic hardship and further entrench poverty in the region.

The South Waikato District Mayor, Gary Petley, has called the proposal to close the training center a “huge blow” to the community. He warns that the closure, which is set to take place at the end of the year, will have a significant impact on an already struggling local economy. This comes after the recent closure of the Kinleith Paper Mill, which resulted in the loss of around 150 jobs in the district.

According to Petley, the closure of the South Waikato Trades Training Centre would be particularly damaging for young people in the area, as it would remove a vital resource for education and job training. He emphasizes that access to education is a critical factor in lifting people out of poverty and deprivation.

"By removing this critical service, you are condemning South Waikato people to another generation of poverty," Petley said.

The closure proposal comes as part of a broader plan by Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology to reduce staffing and close underperforming campuses. The institute has cited declining student numbers, reduced revenue, and rising operational costs as the main reasons for the decision. However, local leaders and residents are concerned that the closure will negatively impact the future of young people in the region.

"This is not a reflection on their great mahi or that there is no longer a need, but rather a reflection on where we must focus our limited resources," said Toi Ohomai executive director Kieran Hewitson. She added that the institute is committed to working with the community in a different way, but the nearest campuses are at least an hour away, making access to education difficult for many.

Mayor Petley has pledged to raise the issue with local MP and Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston, and to explore ways in which the local council can step in to fill the gap left by the closure. He also mentioned the WORKit Programme, a local initiative aimed at supporting workforce development.

While the South Waikato Trades Training Centre, known as Pūkenga Rau, is owned by the South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (Swift), it has been leased to Toi Ohomai since its opening in 2023. Swift CEO Clive Somerville has expressed concern over the potential closure, but stated that the trust would not take over the education programs itself.

As the debate continues, the local community remains divided, with many fearing that the loss of the training center will have long-term consequences for the region’s economic and social development.