Ma¯ ori in study to improve job skills
Ma¯ ori feature highly in the total per cent of Hawke’s Bay youth enrolling with Achievement NZ, an organisation providing foundation-level tertiary education throughout New Zealand.
Achievement NZ’s business development manager Mike Hay said of the 250 learners enrolled from the region between 2016 to 2018, 75 per cent identified as Ma¯ ori.
“One reason for a higher rate of Ma¯ ori participation is that statistically, Ma¯ ori feature higher in the NEET [Not Engaged in Education or Training] statistics. It is likely that more Ma¯ ori are seeking education opportunities in our sector. Being able to engage with a high proportion of Ma¯ ori learners is a real positive for us.
“We work closely with Youth Service providers such as Te Kupenga Hauora and Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga who predominantly work with young Ma¯ ori to place them in education or employment suited to their skills and needs.
“Our organisation creates an inclusive learning environment for learners.We operate within the principles of Ako [study], Manaakitanga [support], Rangatiratanga [self-determination] and Whanaungatanga [family].”
The percentage of NEET young people in Hawkes Bay aged 15 to 24 was 17.4 per cent in September 2018.
“We know there is a concerted effort being made to increase the number of people participating in training in Hawke’s Bay and we want to help reduce the number of people not in employment, education or training in the region.
“Our programmes are designed to enable people to get on the qualification ladder, to gain work ready skills employers are looking for and to help them determine their future career pathways.”
Level 1, 2 and 3 programmes are offered and courses are open to people 16 and over (or 15 with a Ministry of Education exemption). The programmes are full-time at 30 hours a week.
A majority of the learners are aged between 16 and 24 and the programmes focus on employability skills and skills required by employers for entry level positions, he said.
“Programmes are not limited to specific vocations, therefore learners can gain entry level employment in a range of industries such as hospitality and retail, food processing, horticulture and armed forces.
“Many of our learners who commence on our Level 1 programmes go on to complete one of our level 2 programmes. Students moving into employment often go into seasonal work within Hawke’s bay because that is more available and helps with the immediate financial needs of their wha¯ nau. Our aim is to work alongside employers to support more sustainable employment outcomes.”