Awards that celebrate successful youth
Yet another heart-warming evening has taken place, this one acknowledging some of the hardworking youth of South Taranaki.
The fifth South Taranaki Youth to Work Awards took place last week, rewarding and encouraging youth working in the community.
The awards and their success are quite special to South Taranaki.
Former Youth to Work Awards judge and general manager of Taranaki Futures in New Plymouth, Warwick Foy, acknowledged the fact that they were quite rare.
‘‘We don’t have anything like this up there [New Plymouth].’’
South Taranaki Mayor Ross Dunlop said a visitor had noted the size of the awards too.
‘‘We also have James Mather from Wellington who is the Mayors’ Task Force executive officer,’’ Dunlop said.
‘‘James has just been to a similar function in Auckland and he said there was only around about half the size crowd, so good on South Taranaki, well done.’’
Over four awards, 12 youth were acknowledged, alongside two awards for an employer and education, training or work experience provider.
Mitchell Snowdon was awarded the inaugural Learning to Employment Award for not letting health issues hold him back.
Ella Borrows, the convener for the event, said this award was about ‘‘working above and beyond to get what they wanted to do.
‘‘Mitchell has health issues so he’d done really well to do what he was doing.’’
Josh Devlin was awarded the Young Achiever Award for 16-24-year-olds for displaying attitudes beyond his years.
The Young Achiever Award for 20-24-year-olds was given to Johnny-Lee Berry.
Borrows said Berry seemed to be a very popular choice who had lots of encouragement.
‘‘They’re all popular, but she’s obviously got a lot of support from family and wha¯ nau.’’
The inaugural Te Pae Tawhiti Award went to Amy Robinson. The judge’s comments said Robinson showed a willingness to go above and beyond.
The Youth to Work Awards is an initiative of the Mayors’ Task Force for Jobs.
The Employers Award went to Silver Fern Farms, and the Education, Training and Work Experience Provider Award went to Coastal Agri Services, O¯ pu¯ nake.