Southern Initiative & MIT provide boost for job opps

News Release
September 6, 2013

The Southern Initiative and MIT provide big boost for job opportunities

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed today by Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) and Auckland Council’s Southern Initiative to provide a significant increase in cadetship opportunities.

The Southern Initiative is a 30-year programme that focuses on developing stable homes and employment opportunities for children and families in parts of the south of Auckland
The MOU will help facilitate more internships/cadetships for MIT students with South Auckland businesses through the provision of a Cadetship Coordinator at MIT.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown, MIT Chief Executive Peter Brothers, and The Southern Initiative General Manager John McEnteer signed the MOU at a ceremony at MIT’s Otara campus this morning.

Through The Southern Initiative, a successful cadetship programme for MIT students at Auckland Airport was trialled in December last year.

Since then 55% of the 2012 cadets have been offered jobs on completion of their cadetship. Another 22% have gained work with other organisations and say they believe their airport work experience helped them land their job. The final 23% returned to MIT to undertake further study. The performance of the MIT students has been so strong that the programme at Auckland Airport has recently been expanded and made permanent.

“Aucklanders know the importance of education, training and jobs as we work towards creating the world’s most liveable city,” says Len Brown. “This Memorandum of Understanding shows the commitment of Auckland Council, The Southern Initiative and MIT to put local people into local jobs, a goal which is writ large in the Auckland Plan.”

General Manager of The Southern Initiative John McEnteer says, “This is a significant step forward for the growth of cadetships for MIT students and local workforce development.”

Manukau Institute of Technology Chief Executive, Peter Brothers says, “I am delighted that our people – both staff and students – are actively contributing to the type of economic development activity being focused on by The Southern Initiative.”

“The beauty of cadetships is that it’s a win-win for students and employers, in that the students gain practical, hands-on work experience, while still being able to draw on the support of their lecturers and class mates to talk over insights they’ve gained ‘on the job’,” he says. “While employers not only support the students, but also have a useful way of trialling future prospective employees and assessing their skills and fit for their organisation.”

About The Southern Initiative

Auckland Council’s Southern Initiative is a 30-year programme that focuses on developing stable homes and employment opportunities for children and families in parts of the south of Auckland.

The initiative’s goal is to reduce disparities across communities, improve quality of life and wellbeing, lift educational achievement, improve employment opportunities and transform the physical environment. The Southern Initiative area has high social need, yet significant opportunity and potential.

The Southern Initiative team is working in partnership with government, organisations and community groups to deliver the programme, uniting around shared issues, goals, measurements and results to actively support and strengthen activities that work. 

In 2013, a number of key projects have been delivered including establishing a digital literacy programme at Mangere’s De La Salle College and a home insulation project.

The Southern Initiative is a key project from the Auckland Plan:
http://theplan.theaucklandplan.govt.nz/aucklands-people/

Auckland Mayor Len Brown, Manukau Institute of Technology Chief Executive Peter Brothers, and The Southern Initiative General Manager John McEnteer at the MOU signing ceremony at Manukau Institute of Technology this morning.

ENDS

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