The Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Skills Leadership Group (RSLG) has released their regional workforce plan to create positive change in the regional labour market. A launch of the first iteration of the Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Workforce Plan was held in Bulls on Friday.

“The Regional Workforce Plan is the culmination of months of engagement with stakeholders across the whole region, from Ruapehu right down to the Horowhenua,” says Katarina Hina, Co-Chair of the Manawatū-Whanganui RSLG.

The Manawatū-Whanganui RSLG, whose membership includes iwi, industry, union and community representation, decided to focus this iteration of the plan on the Kaiāwhina Health Workforce and School Transitions. The size and demands on the region’s health sector, as well as the necessity to focus on the future workforce, made these areas natural foci.

“We want our people to have opportunities to upskill and prosper within the workforce. This will have wider impacts for whanau in our communities,” says Oriana Paewai, the Iwi Co-Chair for the Manawatū-Whanganui RSLG.

“This Regional Workforce Plan sets out how this is possible. The plan is not just rhetoric – it includes a list of actions we are committed to implementing, as well as a set of recommendations for central government and key regional actors.”

The first iteration of the Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Workforce Plan is available to read online at www.mbie.govt.nz/manawatu-whanganui-rslg/ from Friday 8 July.

The next iteration of the Regional Workforce Plan will focus on other key sectors within the regional labour market and is expected to be released in December 2022.

© Scoop Media