In the early 2000s Ōtorohanga had almost no unemployed young people. This achievement was credited to a suite of youth-focused schemes spearheaded by the town's mayor, Dale Williams, who was elected in 2004. One of the educational initiatives was the Wintec Trade Training Centre, which opened in 2005. Courses were designed to suit the needs of Ōtorohanga's employers and to allow young people to gain tertiary qualifications in their home town. Automotive mechanic apprentice Hamish Loomins, pictured in 2009, participated in the scheme.