Stick to your knitting and get a job

ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post

SKILL SESSION: Norm Pearson and Paul Keene discuss a Weft knitting machine which will be used in a new training course.

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A booming Horowhenua textile business is teaching people how to knit.

A 10-week machine-knitting course begins this week at Levin's Levana factory in conjunction with the Horowhenua Learning Centre, the Apparel and Textile Training Organisation and Work and Income.

It will provide eight unemployed people with new skills that may lead to jobs.

Levana knitting manager Paul Keene said more trained staff were needed because the company had experienced phenomenal growth in recent times, despite many other textile businesses struggling and people being laid off in the industry.

"We are booming," Mr Keene said, citing an almost threefold increase in fabric production since August last year.

The company planned to expand its Tiro Tiro Rd business by 30 per cent in five years, chief executive Andy Wynne said.

Levana was bought by Australian firm The Merino Company about two years ago. Retaining its own name and using grants from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise as well as its own money, the company was developing export markets for "clever medical fabrics" and high-end sportswear.

Capital upgrades at the factory included new fine-gauge knitting machines toproduce intricate fabrics for fashion.

After the initial course, Levana planned to put its current employees through a similar but more technical course.

"It is a great opportunity to upskill our staff."

Horowhenua Learning Centre chief executive Malcolm Russell said the course was positive for the region. "It is great to have this level of co-operation and partnership. There is a huge desire to make this work."

Norm Pearson, described by Mr Russell as one of the country's most knowledgeable textile workers, had come out of retirement to lead the course after 48 years in the business.

Mr Pearson said he jumped at the opportunity to pass on his skills and help the booming local textile industry.