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There's a push for student trainees to be paid while on their compulsory job placements - as many drop out due to cost of living pressures.
The New Zealand Association of Social Workers says 45% of students who start a qualification don't finish it, in large part due to the 120-day placement required. Many vocations, including nursing, medicine, midwifery, social work and teaching, require some on-the-job experience before one can become qualified. This work is unpaid.
Masters student Bex Howells is leading a petition to change that, saying students are doing full work weeks for free - leaving little time for a paying job, to cover the bills. As well as the 45% dropout rate for social work students, 25% of those who start a nursing qualification also don't finish it. The rate for Pasifika nursing students is 37%.
Petition organiser Bex Howells and Medical Students Association president Indira Fernando speak with Kathryn Ryan.
