He Toki recruits 40 Māori apprentices to help build Canterbury futures

He Toki Apprenticeship Trust, a local social enterprise, has successful recruited 40 apprentices for construction sector employers in a little over a year.
He Toki Trust Manager, Hemi Inia, attributes the successful recruitment to the partnerships He Toki has built with local employers.

“He Toki has been lucky enough to work with ten exemplary employers who are committed to employing young local Māori,” he says.

“One of the key new partnerships He Toki has formed is with Ryman Healthcare. Ryman have employed 13 of our young men and women for a job out at Rangiora,” says Hemi.

“Working with organisations like Ryman Healthcare is great for our apprentices because they get to work with leading organisations and learn from the best,” he says.

“He Toki works with employers to ensure our apprentices have the tools to start work and are ready to be part of your team,” says Hemi.

According to Eruera Tarena, Chief Executive for Te Tapuae o Rehua, the feedback He Toki has been receiving from employers has been inspiring.

“We have received feedback from employers that our apprentices are really adding value on site and are contributing to the development of stronger teams,” says Eru.

“Employers are also telling us they really appreciating the diversity that our men and women are bringing to the work sites.”

He Toki Apprenticeship Trust is a consortium that brings together the strengths, knowledge, expertise, capability and networks of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Te Tapuae o Rehua, Hawkins Group and Ara Institute of Canterbury. The Patron is Tā Mark Solomon.

“The programme is about ensuring Māori have tools for life,” says Eru.

“Our goal is to create more Māori leadership across the trades and construction sector in Christchurch, New Zealand and the world,” he says.

Today He Toki held a chiefs breakfast at Rehua Marae with local industry leaders to recognise the great work He Toki has undertaken over the past five years in trades training and apprenticeships. This breakfast gave participants the opportunity to network with other industry leaders and hear from the partner organisations.

ENDS

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