Launchpad Graduation

Thursday 3 February 2005

Welcome to the 2005 Graduation of Launchpad, the employment and training programme of the Employment Scholarship Trust. I am Garry Moore, Mayor of Christchurch City and your MC for this fantastic celebration.

It’s great to see so many of you have made the effort to be here, as graduates, supporting businesses, schools, families and sponsors.

Let’s briefly reflect on what Launchpad is.

Let’s a year long programme that provides a supported transition from school to work. Launchpad, “launches” young people into their career and “lands” them jobs with supportive and socially responsible employers; and at the same time addresses skill gaps with industry relevant tertiary training.

Today you will hear from our guest speakers why Launchpad works; the impact this programme has on that critical first year out of school and into the workforce; the support for employers and school leavers throughout the scholarship year, and the opportunity Launchpad provides for a young person to grow, mature, and integrate into the world of work.

Launchpad is about working together to create new opportunities, and making this city an inclusive and vibrant place where young people are valued. It’s about changing attitudes towards school leavers. It’s about a time to test new waters before committing to fulltime work or education. It’s about a foot in the door to a new world, it’s about learning new skills and how to contribute; and it’s about igniting new dreams and hope for the future. “It’s our future”

It’s great to see the development of this programme from it’s beginning with Simon Mortlock Partners in 1999. Launchpad is a Christchurch-based initiative that has now expanded nationwide. It is also operating in Dunedin, Wellington and

The Director of Launchpad, Kathy Shaw, has asked me to introduce you to the team behind the brand. Jan Connelly and Tanya Nissen are the Regional Coordinators for Christchurch, providing support to both scholarship recipients and employers and ensuring the continuing success of the Launchpad programme in Christchurch. Jo Ogden manages the administrative side of the operation.

The Employment Scholarship Trust Board Chairperson is Frank Denson from Soundline.

Lesley Dick, a Christchurch business woman, who through her close ties with netball, has enabled the use of this fantastic venue this evening.

Simon Mortlock of Simon Mortlock Partners
Jan Crooks of Simon Mortlock Partners
Marty Searle from AMI Insurance

I would also like to acknowledge the key Christchurch funders and supporters of Launchpad that make all this possible:

• Ministry of Social Development (Work & Income)
• CPIT (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology)
• Tertiary Education Commission
  Lion Foundation
• Simon Mortlock Partners
• And private philanthropic bodies

First speaker: I would now like to invite Elizabeth Emery, a scholarship graduate employed at McCormack Law to speak about her Launchpad year and career pathway.

Second speaker: And now we get to hear from an employer’s perspective about the scholarship programme. I would like to invite Tim Coslett of Christchurch Engine Centre to speak.

Final speaker: And finally, please welcome Emma McFaull, a 2001 graduate, who will provide an insight on her successes since completing the Launchpad programme.

Hand over to Jan Connelly (Regional Coordinator). Tanya Nissen (Regional Coordinator) to then speak, to explain how certificates will be presented and discuss photograph to be taken afterwards

Presentation of certificates

So I invite you to join with me to congratulate all of the graduates. As employers, parents, educators, families and friends, you should be rightly proud of their achievements.