Forestry industry struggling to find Kiwi workers - company offers bonus for reliable staff
9 Apr, 2021 08:00 PM
6 minutes to read
The silviculture industry is struggling to find reliable workers to do jobs like Juanito Jr Miculob s. Photo / Andrew Warner
The silviculture industry is struggling to find reliable workers to do jobs like Juanito Jr Miculob s. Photo / Andrew Warner
A contractor is offering a yearly bonus of about $3640 if workers turn up for work and stay drug-free as the silviculture industry struggles to recruit and retain good staff. Training programmes have been introduced but Kiwis are reluctant to take on the physically demanding jobs, experts say, and there is still a reliance on migrants.
The high asking price comes amid a major shortage of rentals in the South Waikato which has the region’s fastest rising house prices outside Hamilton City. Despite the shortage, three bedroom rentals in the town average at around $400 a week. When contacted by
Stuff am659, who did not reveal his identity, defended the figure. “It is for emergency housing. Some people in need can be supported by Work and Income, he said. When asked if he had had any enquires he paused before saying “sometimes” and hung up.
LUKE KIRKEBY/Stuff
Tokoroa s Amisfield Motel in Lochmaben Rd. Emergency Housing is supplied through an Emergency Housing Special Needs Grant (EH SNG), paid on behalf of the client to a supplier of commercial accommodation.
Summer read: Tauranga mother s journey out of homelessness
2 Jan, 2021 07:00 PM
6 minutes to read
Janine Cork is looking for furniture for her new home, after three years in transitional housing. Photo / File
The Bay of Plenty Times is bringing back some of the best premium stories of 2020. Janine Cork is starting over with next to nothing. Not a stick of furniture, a scrap of linen, and barely any cutlery to eat with.
But for the first time in five years, the Tauranga woman and her 13-year-old son have a permanent roof over their heads and, to her, that s everything.
They moved into an Accessible Housing property in late February after nearly three years in transitional housing.