Taupo¯ business people appointed to labour sector group
Taupo¯ will be well represented on a new Regional Skills Leadership Group set up by the government to be “eyes and ears for labour market recovery” in the region post-Covid-19, with Taupo¯ business leaders Andrea (Andy) Blair and Kylie Hawker-Green appointed.
The group has been established to support the changing labour market in the Bay of Plenty and is one of 15 Regional Skills
Leadership Groups nationwide to identify and support better ways of meeting future skills and workforce needs in the regions.
They were planned before the arrival of Covid19 as part of an approach to labour market planning which would have the workforce, education and immigration systems working together to better meet differing skill needs across the country. Now the group’s aim is to understand the impact that Covid-19 is having on jobs in the Bay of Plenty, so tailored support can be provided.
The groups provide independent advice, which employers and government agencies will act on to help re-employ, redeploy or retrain workers and entrepreneurs who have lost jobs or closed businesses.
The Bay of Plenty Group will be co-chaired by Taupo¯ businesswoman Andrea Blair, who brings a wealth of experience in the geothermal industry and in governance, and Dr Chris Tooley, chief executive of Te Puna Ora o Mataatua Bay of Plenty.
“We intend to provide leadership and coordination across economic development areas and provide realtime information to the government on the challenges facing the Bay of Plenty. With our four economic development agencies, industry stakeholders and iwi/Ma¯ ori all coming together, it is a great opportunity to work towards one overall regional plan,” said Andy.
“In a Covid-19 environment, we will aim to coordinate the pipeline from unemployment to wha¯ nau ora support systems and training opportunities through to job placements. Ma¯ ori have been disproportionately affected by our lockdown so an integrated equity strategy will also be an important part of the regional plan,” said Dr Chris Tooley.
Group members are regional industry leaders, economic development agencies, and iwi, worker and government representatives, who will contribute their knowledge and local expertise.
They will be supported by a team of data analysts, policy advisers and workforce specialists at the Ministry of Business, Employment and Innovation.