Waikato high schoolers can earn a qualification and a paycheque with a pilot programme supporting manufacturing. 

The Government's teamed up with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa to give students three days work a week with a local business. 

Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says the industry contributes about 8.4% of our GDP, but skill shortages are slowing productivity. 

Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa CEO Catherine Lye told Andrew Dickens the idea of the programme began a couple of years ago between Waikato manufacturers to address their biggest challenge: the attraction and development of the workforce.  

She says the students will gain experience and exposure to three different manufacturing businesses over the 30 week programme.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Waikato high schoolers can earn a qualification and a paycheque with a pilot programme supporting manufacturing.&nbsp;
The Government's teamed up with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa to give students three days work a week with a local business.&nbsp;
Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says the industry contributes about 8.4% of our GDP, but skill shortages are slowing productivity.&nbsp;
Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa CEO Catherine Lye told Andrew Dickens the idea of the programme began a couple of years ago between Waikato manufacturers to address their biggest challenge: the attraction and development of the workforce. &nbsp;
She says the students will gain experience and exposure to three different manufacturing businesses over the 30 week programme. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Catherine Lye: Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa on the new work experience programme for students

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e2fe8bd3-7cd3-42b9-9665-b28701678010/transcript

The Foreign Affairs Minister's claims around our trade deal with India have an immigration expert warning the settings could be more tough than usual. 

Winston Peters let loose accusations last week National was covertly changing immigration settings in bad faith.  

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford now says initial decisions consistent with the FTA have been sent to ministers for feedback. 

Queen City Law's Sonny Lam told Ryan Bridge the proposed restrictions will likely be more extreme than previous examples – like Chinese special policy and Thai chef visas. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Foreign Affairs Minister's claims around our trade deal with India have an immigration expert warning the settings could be more tough than usual.&nbsp;
Winston Peters let loose accusations last week National was covertly changing immigration settings in bad faith. &nbsp;
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford now says initial decisions consistent with the FTA have been sent to ministers for feedback.&nbsp;
Queen City Law's Sonny Lam told Ryan Bridge the proposed restrictions will likely be more extreme than previous examples – like Chinese special policy and Thai chef visas.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Sonny Lam: Queen City Law Immigration Expert on the potential changes to the immigration settings in the India FTA

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/73a18961-ec6e-4a1f-8b1b-b47b0188d4d1/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 3rd of July 2026, seems like the Government is moving to put restrictions Indian immigration, Sonny Lam, Immigration expert at Queen City Law shares his thoughts. 

The All Blacks take on France in the first test of the season at the sold out One New Zealand stadium, Chief Executive Venues Otautahi, Caroline Harvie-Teare tells Ryan how big of a deal this will be for the garden city. 

Erica Stanford's rolling out a big expansion of early language support in ECE centres, Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg shares her thoughts on the programme. 

Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Keir Starmer apologising on behalf of the British state for its role in historical forced adoptions in England and Wales and the ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang that targeted girls as young as 12 has been released from prison. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 3rd of July 2026, seems like the Government is moving to put restrictions Indian immigration, Sonny Lam, Immigration expert at Queen City Law shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
The All Blacks take on France in the first test of the season at the sold out One New Zealand stadium, Chief Executive Venues Otautahi, Caroline Harvie-Teare tells Ryan how big of a deal this will be for the garden city.&nbsp;
Erica Stanford's rolling out a big expansion of early language support in ECE centres, Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg shares her thoughts on the programme.&nbsp;
Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Keir Starmer apologising on behalf of the British state for its role in historical forced adoptions in England and Wales and the ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang that targeted girls as young as 12 has been released from prison.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 03 July 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/eac12d2b-916e-420e-a001-b47b012abd1a/transcript

There are hopes new progress in language learning will go beyond early childhood education. 

The Government's widening access to ENRICH for a further 450 centres. 

The programme is now backed by three decades of evidence, with practical tools to increase toddler-teacher communication. 

Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg told Ryan Bridge it paves the way for a zero-to-18 years literacy pathway. 

She says strong foundational language leads onto early literacy and structured curriculum. 

LISTEN ABOVE

There are hopes new progress in language learning will go beyond early childhood education.&nbsp;
The Government's widening access to ENRICH for a further 450 centres.&nbsp;
The programme is now backed by three decades of evidence, with practical tools to increase toddler-teacher communication.&nbsp;
Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg told Ryan Bridge it paves the way for a zero-to-18 years literacy pathway.&nbsp;
She says strong foundational language leads onto early literacy and structured curriculum.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Kelly Seaburg: Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair on the ENRICH programme

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cdb05b45-aa3d-4b2b-bd25-b47b012bfa43/transcript

Catherine Lye: Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa on the new work experience programme for students

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