Action for youths in Katikati-Waihī Beach
Katikati Taiao has launched a new project called ‘Positive Pathways for Rangatahi’ and has just employed Melody Lamb as a Youth Employment Coach to help mentor and guide young people into employment or training opportunities.
Seed funding of $95,000 for Stage 1 of this project was generously provided by Bay Trust, TECT, and the Department of Internal Affairs, with the Katikati Community Centre underwriting a further $40,000 to support the program and a contribution towards procurement of a second-hand minibus for the program.
The ‘Positive Pathways for Rangatahi’ project is led by local David Marshall and arose out of ‘Hearts and Minds’ research into the Katikati community conducted during 2019. Here it was established the community placed a high value on their youth yet for many the inability to successfully transition from high school into real life led to them disconnecting from the community.
David explored how the community may be able to facilitate a better transition for youth from college and current unemployment, into training and employment opportunities. David estimates there are more than 200 16 to 24-yearold NEETs (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) living in the Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward, with the number growing significantly as the impact of Covid hits younger employees hardest.
David Marshall also initiated some further research to interview young people who were or had been recently unemployed. This face-to-face research was carried out by young local researchers, Lisa Tawhiti and Noeline Te Whakaara. Much of the feedback from these young people and parents was similar, acknowledging the significant disconnect between life at school and the realities of navigating the training and employment world. There was consensus that the two key urgent needs in the community were for Community Careers Advice and Youth Mentoring.
David Marshall says that, “after 12 months of community research and consultation, it was tremendous to see something tangible launched to support youth struggling to connect with work in the Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward.”
This youth initiative is being jointly delivered through a partnership between Katikati Community Centre, and Tamawhariua Health and Social Services to ensure that a more holistic approach can be taken with a wrap-around service that includes the health, social, and career aspirations and needs of young people. Katikati Taiao, led by their Community Activator, Alan Maxwell, provides backbone support.
The programme includes providing appropriate training and employment readiness including CV and interview preparation, career advice, volunteer and work experience, securing a vehicle licence, mentoring/coaching, as well as connection to local employment and apprenticeship opportunities. For more information call Katikati Community Centre on 07 549 0399 or email Melody at yec@katikaticommunity.nz