New ‘champions’ for Māori and Pacific training scheme

New ‘champions’ for Māori and Pacific training scheme

A new initiative to get more young Māori and Pacific people into the trades industry has received a major boost from the appointment of two high-profile ‘champions’.

Auckland’s Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT Auckland) was launched in February this year to meet an expected employment boom in New Zealand’s building and construction industry.

Project Manager Kirk Sargent says he is thrilled to announce that Sir Pita Sharples and Samuelu Sefuiva have been appointed as ‘Champions’ – whose prominence and strong relationships with the community will help promote the initiative.

“Both Sir Pita and Sam are men of huge mana and experience, which means they’re in a strong position to command the respect needed to bring CEO-level, cross-sector leaders together."

Sargent says MPTT is not just about recruiting young Māori and Pacific people for free trades training – it’s also about bringing the industry on board with their training as well.

“It’s vital that we have the support of employers so our young people have easy access to employment once they’ve been trained.

“Of course, this is also an extremely good opportunity for employers because, with a huge amount of work in the pipeline, they’re going to need skilled young tradespeople.”

Sargent says Sir Pita and Sam will work to raise the profile of MPTT Auckland and share its benefits with industry leaders.

Sir Pita, former co-leader of the Māori Party, says now is an ideal time for young Māori to be preparing for a career in the trades.

“We’re short of good people in the trades and there’s going to be a marvellous opportunity here in Auckland due to the expected housing explosion.

“This is an exciting venture and I’m really looking forward to being part of it.”

Sir Pita says similar trade training schemes promoted by the Department of Māori Affairs until the 1970s were hugely successful.

“What amazes me is how many of the Maori (and Pasifika) who went through those schemes are still in the trades, some of them with large staff. I know we can repeat that now.”

Sefuiva, former New Zealand Human Rights Commission's Principal Advisor Race Relations, says MPTT offers a stepping-stone for Māori and Pacific peoples, who are underrepresented in both employment and the trades.

“Here’s an opportunity for all parts of society – the industry, employers, Pacific and Māori communities and training institutions ¬– to get involved in creating that pathway for our kids.

“Both Pita and myself have talked about the importance of getting our own communities connected to the programme. But most importantly, it’s about getting our partners connected because members of the industry have a massive stake in our kids’ futures.”

Over the next few years, the number of skilled jobs is expected to increase by nearly 50 per cent in New Zealand.

“We’re expecting massive growth in the building and construction industry sector, which means skilled tradespeople will be in high demand,” Sargent says.

MPTT was created to offer young Māori and Pasifika opportunities for trades training and direct access to employment, and prepare them for this anticipated “wall of work”, he says.

The Government is putting $43 million towards helping Māori and Pasifika trades training initiatives across New Zealand, and that's how MPTT is funded.

The initiative involves polytechnics, industry training organisations, community, public organisations, interests, and industry working together to help young Māori and Pacific people gain skilled employment.

For more information, visit www.maoripasifikatrades.co.nz

ENDS

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