Media Release 18 February 2004

Youth Diploma Upskills Council Staff in Manukau

Four Manukau City Council staff receive the Diploma in Youth in Development Work this Saturday (21 February).

Twenty two graduates, predominantly from the Counties Manukau area, receive their diplomas from Melbourne's RMIT University (previously known as the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) at a ceremony at Nga Tapuwae Community Centre, Buckland Road, Mangere on Saturday 21 February.

Council supported its staff through the course by assisting with course fees. Council's manager of community and leisure services, Diane Maloney, says that two years of hard work will pay off for the staff and the city's youth.

"John Durham and Raewyn Cook are our community advisors for Manurewa and Mangere respectively. Angelique Otene and Richard Paniora-Hepi both work in our Safer Manukau team. They all spend significant amounts of time working in and with the community on youth-related issues. What they have learnt will be invaluable in their day-to-day work.

"Council has acknowledged the importance of addressing youth issues in our city. Youth forums, a review of our youth policy and many initiatives aimed at youth are just some of the ways we're doing this. At the same time, we need to ensure our staff are as skilled as possible in youth and community development."

The Diploma in Youth in Development Work is part of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. The course covered project planning, policy development, conflict resolution, promoting enterprise and economic development, youth and health, learning processes, management skills, and community profiles.

24 percent of Manukau's population is aged between 10 and 24 years.

ENDS

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