jack links, jerky and jim

Just over a year ago Jim Anderton made a speech to launch a business development project. He said:

I had an American company come to see me called Jack Links.They wanted to open a factory making beef jerky. They saw we had good cattle, but they needed land close to the airport and skilled workers.

Some government officials went to work and found a place in Auckland. We said to the company, if we train workers on the dole and give them skills, will you employ them?

They did. We took two hundred people off the dole. Some of them had been there for ten years.

They got good jobs in the Jack Links factory. Imagine the hope the kids of those workers now have. Imagine the pride of those kids, how it has changed because Mum or Dad has a job. If you want to help give a future to kids like that here in the Waikato, then I am going to work with you.

Anderton was present at the opening of the plant saying that even "more jobs will be created," and this will" provide Mangere with 400 skilled jobs".

Now two thirds of them are heading for the dole after many of them spent years on the dole in the first place, prior to making jerky at Jack Links.

Its fortunate that Jim Anderton is not the Minister of Economic Development now, isn't it. What is current minister Trevor Mallard got to say about this. Nothing. He didn't make the speech. It's not his responsibility, is it. At least Anderton tried, lets see if Mallard will "help give a future to kids like that in the Waikato," as Anderton said. Any takers on what Mallard will say/do?
Hat-tip Rodney Hide