Māori cadet scheme opens doors to success
A new cadet scheme for young Māori in Taranaki aims to help them find the career of their dreams, whatever it may be.
The inaugural scheme, which includes eight young Māori working in a variety of ventures including construction, photography and scaffolding, began with consulting Māori business owners about their needs.
“We exist to support Māori business and the purpose of the programme is to uplift rangatahiand provide a platform and a pathway for growth within their chosen career,” said Tetsu Garnett, from He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki (HTPKT), the Māori business network.
Nearly one in five rangatahi Māori aged 15 to 24 years are not in employment, education or training. That is more than twice the non-māori rate.
To discuss the best way forward with the cadet programme, a focus group was organised, which included business owners and representatives from Toi Foundation, WITT Te Pūkenga and Why ORA.
Garnett said that while developing the scheme, HTPKT staff looked at others around Aotearoa to refine how the Taranaki scheme would be run.
The 26-week Taranaki version started with interviewing business owners to see what they were looking for, then He Toronga Pakihi found young people in the community who matched each business.
“Once we do find the right person, we interview them and talk through the pro
‘‘It’s very possible these young people can get fulltime jobs – that’s the goal.’’
gramme and listen to them to find out what their goals are – what they want to achieve within the cadet programme,” Garnett said.
Training plans are tailor-made to meet the needs of both the business and the cadet, and include providing practical steps, such as taking first aid courses or gaining a driver’s licence, if needed for the job.
The business owners record attendance and highlight any milestones achieved.
“There is some onus on the business owner to make sure they (the cadets) are putting in that training,” she said.
“It’s very possible these young people can get fulltime jobs – that’s the goal.”
To further assist cadets to be successful, the organisation partnered with private training enterprise Te Heru Māpara, formerly Feats.
Hineakura Tokotaua, the kaiwhakahihiri taiohi (vocational pathways co-ordinator), said the Ngāti Maru-owned organisation provided pastoral care.
“We remove any barriers that rangatahi might have. For instance, they might need a ride somewhere, or we support them to get their drivers’ licence,” she said.
“If they are in a job and want to upskill, we will find ways to help them.”
Tokotaua, of Ngāti Maru and Ngāti Mutunga descent, believed the cadet scheme was “important” and “inspirational”.
“What I’m really passionate about is finding our rangatahi not just meaningful employment but [for them] to become successful … you can be a business owner or CEO if that’s what you want.”
The trained teacher said she had seen young people being undervalued, particularly rangatahi Māori.
And she saw first-hand what could happen if someone had no career pathway.
“My dad was only able to be a labourer. He didn’t have these opportunities or to upskill.”
Through the cadet scheme, young Māori are also able to have business role models.
“I think it’s really important that our rangatahi see people who look like them being successful.”
Tetsu Garnett He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki