College kids check out Ucol | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

The college kids fluttered, the recruiters recruited, but all 4-year-old Mary-Jane cared about was the free icecream.

Wairarapa's sole polytechnic, Ucol, held its annual open day yesterday for prospective students in careers from nursing and catering to business administration and carpentry.

About 70 young people gathered in the courtyard, soaking up the blazing sunshine, and chowed down on the polytechnic's free sushi and icecream.

Mark Lockwood, general manager of student recruitment, expected 200-250 students to pass through during the day, with some putting their names to paper.

However, Mr Lockwood said the day was not just about recruitment but raising the polytechnic's profile in the region.

"It's a good community event. It's the biggest thing we do on campus each year," he said.

Samantha Candish, 24, will be part of this year's intake, taking the plunge into auto mechanics after she was inspired by her partner's love for cars and as something "a bit different" from the average mother.

The former Ucol student in business administration is no stranger to hard work but admitted it would be tricky juggling time with her 4-year-old daughter.

However, she suspected it could be little Mary-Jane who lends her a helping hand this year.

"She likes helping my partner check the engine, the oil and water, everything like that. She will probably get her hands dirty herself."