Work search team on the job
South Taranaki’s newest employment service is open and ready for business.
The team of two at Chamber Hub South are keen to sign up employers as well as people of all ages who are wanting work.
‘‘We are open, we have jobs on our books, and we have some jobseekers looking for work,’’ employment project co-ordinator Monica Willson said.
The new service is a collaboration between the South Taranaki District Council, the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, Mayors Taskforce for Jobs and the Ministry of Social Development. It is a replication of the Taranaki chamber’s successful Chamber Hub initiative, which has helped 60 people in North Taranaki find employment in the last six months.
In South Taranaki, the goal of the pilot is to help at least 25 people into paid work of at least 30 hours a week by the end of June.
If the pilot is successful, STDC plans to extend the service for at least another 12 months.
‘‘A lot of people have changed their direction and vocation postCovid, we expect to see a few people who have moved back from other regions or overseas, and decided they wanted a change of career,’’ said Willson, who has a background in business enterprise and policy advice.
‘‘They’re keen and eager to work, but for one reason or another, they haven’t had that success yet,’’ she said.
As well as matching jobseekers with employers, they can help train people and support them as they transition to their new roles, said placement support co-ordinator Tina Parata, who has iwi links to Nga¯ti Ruanui and Nga Ru¯ ahine.
She is enjoying her new role, which came after working with the Ministry of Social Development for 15 years.
‘‘Having the ability to work in my own community, forming oneto-one relationships, supporting people to find their goals or what they’re good at,’’ she said.
For more information phone
06 759 9080 or visit the office at
109 Princes St, Ha¯ wera.