Initiative provides specialised training for the rebuild

For immediate release 29.11.2011

Pasifika Trades Training initiative provides specialised training for the rebuild

A new Pasifika Trades Training initiative at CPIT encourages Pasifika into higher education by providing specialised trades training programmes, aimed at up-skilling Pasifika to contribute to the Christchurch rebuild.

The initiative will be run in collaboration with leaders from the Pasifika community, including Pacific Church Ministers, who will encourage young adults and mature students to enrol in one-year programmes at CPIT’s Trades Innovation Institute.

The close partnership between CPIT and Pacific Churches is a key strength in the new initiative. Pasifika Trades Training differs to other trades training programmes by offering additional pastoral care, mentoring and support to students through both CPIT’s Centre for Maori and Pasifika Achievement (CMPA), and the Pacific Churches students are already involved with.

“Church Ministers are leaders in the Pasifika community and the Pasifika Trades Training initiative recognises this. CPIT will work closely with Pacific churches to select and support students through their trades training. This collaboration will improve the participation and performance of Pasifika students. It is very exciting,” says Peni Latavao, Administrator for CPIT’s Centre of Maori and Pasifika Achievement (CMPA).

The intiative arises from a Government ‘Skills for Canterbury’ package which has allocated $6 million for Pasifika Trades Scholarships across New Zealand. Of the 300 scholarships available nationwide, 100 will be awarded to CPIT to assist with up-skilling workers for the Canterbury rebuild. These full tuition scholarship places will assist Pasifika students entering into trades training programmes through CPIT over the next two years.

“These scholarships are exciting for all Pasifika who want to improve their skills. Training will not only benefit individuals, but the Pasifika community and the wider Canterbury region by increasing the number of qualified Pasifika people involved in the rebuild,” Latavao says.

CPIT will host the first Open Day for the new Pacific Trades Training initiative this Thursday 1 December, at the Trades Innovation Institute from 4.30pm to 7pm. For more information call 0800 24 24 76 and ask to speak to the Centre of Maori and Pasifika Achievement.
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