Nine young Waitaki district shearers have received top›tier training in their field with support from the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ), the council says. Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale said local business owners Willy McSkimming and Phil Cleland worked with MTFJ ‘‘to help these young people’’. Mr Pestell said MTFJ’s role was to help young people into employment, support sustainable employment for young people and support local employers to develop and retain staff in the district. Each of the nine young shearers wrote an introductory letter about their ambitions for future employment as shearers, a statement from the Waitaki District Council this week said. ‘‘Backing initiatives like this and helping young people get a start in an industry like ours makes a real difference.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 21, 2026 15:36 UTC